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Michael Shannon, Trey Anastasio, and More at the Opening of Atlantic's Guards at the Taj

Rajiv Joseph’s new dark comedy is directed by Tony nominee Amy Morton.

| Off-Broadway |

June 12, 2015

The Guards at the Taj team: director Amy Morton, cast member Aryan Moayed, playwright Rajiv Joseph, and cast member Omar Metwally. — The *Guards at the Taj* team: director Amy Morton, cast member Arian Moayed, playwright Rajiv Joseph, and cast member Omar Metwally.
(© David Gordon)

Guards at the Taj, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, celebrated its opening night on June 11 at Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theatre. The drama is directed by Tony nominee Amy Morton (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?).

Set in 1648 India, Guards at the Taj stars Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed as a pair of Imperial Guards who must watch over the completed Taj Mahal, and are forced to perform an unthinkable task that changes their lives forever. It was awarded the 2015 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award, given annually for an unproduced, full-length play of social relevance by an emerging American playwright.

Guests at the opening-night festivities included Tony winner Tracy Letts (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Grace), Phish's Trey Anastasio (Hands on a Hardbody), and more. Check out TheaterMania's photos in the gallery below.

For tickets to Guards at the Taj, click here.