New York, N.Y. — Pakistani American artist, filmmaker and writer/playwright Mumtaz Hussain‘s international premier of Godly Bastard — the tale of an illegitimate boy placed in an orphanage in South Asia where he is coerced by extremists to martyr his young life to cleanse the reputation of his mother, a maid. To make her “halal” by removing the stigma of his birth out of wedlock through his suicide bombing. The play is being produced by the J. Luce Foundation.
The Play: Godly Bastard
In a world where poverty drives desperate measures, individuals are often forced to sell everything they own to meet life’s basic needs. Within this struggle, religious guidelines determine what is acceptable, adding another layer of complexity. A corrupt politician preys on his young, impoverished maid. He exploits her for his sexual gratification, and she becomes pregnant. Upon discovering her condition, the politician cruelly fires her. In conservative Pakistan, her illegitimate child is shunned, so the maid sends him to orphan home. As the boy grows, extremist groups manipulate his vulnerability, leading him to a tragic path as a suicide bomber.
Mumtaz Hussain – Author & Director
Mumtaz Hussain is an artist, filmmaker and a writer. In 1981, Mumtaz accepted admission into the prestigious National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore, Pakistan. In 1987, Mumtaz left for London to study European art forms. In 1988 Mumtaz came to New York to pursue graphic design at the School of Visual Art. Additionally, Mumtaz also studied filmmaking. His Urdu book of short stories and PORTRAIT IN WORDS won the prestigious International Impact Award and winner of the Mention Award at 2023 New England Literary Festival.
His art film, Soul of Civilization, has been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Queens Museum of Art, as well as Stony Brook University and several others. Hussain’s other films include: This is my Pakistan (Pakistani TV Channel GEO), Inside You (based on Rumi’s poetry), Push Button For (Pakistani classic short story), and Butterfly Screams (based on 9/11).
His first feature film, Art=(Love) 2, received a Merit Award at the Lucerne International Film Festival (Switzerland); Best Cinematography at the Jaipur International Film Festival (India); Platinum Reel Award at the Nevada Film Festival, the Gold Award at the Prestige Film Festival (USA). The film was also officially selected at the Delhi International Film Festival (India); and the Vegas Cine Fest (USA). It will be ready for theatrical release soon.
His plays The Barking Crow, Legal Alien, and Virus Bomb have been performed in New York. His script The Kind Executioner received finalist award at Hollywood Screenplay Contest (USA) and first award at Jaipur International film festival (India).
Mumtaz Hussain, a dedicated writer regularly exploring the realm of art and artists, has contributed extensively to renowned magazines such as The News, Friday Times, and News & Views. His paintings and films have been shown at numerous museums, universities, art galleries and international film festivals.
He was recently awarded the 2023 Global Leadership Award by the Lions Clubs and The James Jay Luce Foundation, recognizing his outstanding contributions to art and literature. This prestigious honor highlights his profound impact and enduring commitment to excellence in artistic expression, solidifying his presence on the global stage.
Jeremiah Bornfield – Musical Director
Jeremiah Bornfield is an award-winning composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans film, theater, and immersive audio. His compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall, aired on PBS and HBO, and featured in acclaimed films such as Diane and Hitchcock Truffaut. He has collaborated with top ensembles, including Sō Percussion and the St. Petersburg String Quartet, and has scored projects ranging from Off-Broadway productions to major documentaries. Known for his innovative approach to sound, Bornfield seamlessly blends classical craftsmanship with modern storytelling techniques, making him a sought-after voice in contemporary composition.
Jim Luce – Producer
Jim Luce is in a unique position to produce Godly Bastard, having co-founded an organization in the 1980s to counter religious addiction and extremism (Fundamentalists Anonymous), The J. Luce Foundation (2007) which supports young global leadership in South Asia and around the world, including a teen suicide prevention program in Appalachia, and Orphans International (1999) supporting disadvantaged children in Asia, Africa and the Americas. He was an Asian Studies major at Waseda University (Japan) and spent a season working with the Ohio Light Opera Company. He grew up in a family deeply involved with community and summer stock theater.
Angela Geraci
Angela Geraci is an actor, singer, and choreographer. This will be her second time working with director Mumtaz Hussain this year. They previously collaborated together to craft a solo dance performance that would accompany select readings of his book Portrait In Words. Past credits include: I Can Do That! (54 Below), Monty Python’s Spamalot “Prince Herbert/Tim the Enchanter” (AMDA Workshop), and Hamilton “Peggy” (AMDA Workshop). She is also currently Assistant Directing and Choreographing The Wizard of Oz Jr. at The Dwight School. Angela received her BFA in Musical Theater from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she had the privilege of studying in both New York City and Los Angeles.
Daniel Carreau
Daniel Carreau resides in New York City, where he has appeared in films like The Subject (directed by late Lanie Zipoy), and Arm’s Length (directed by Chantal Demorial). He has also been a featured extra in shows like He has been a member of SAF AFTRA since 2021. Several decades ago he started out with the goal of becoming an actor and appeared as Donald in You Can’t Take It with You (George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart, directed by Janet Barton Speer). During his journey he became keenly aware of the need to showcase stories of marginalized people who are traditionally overlooked by the mainstream. He began writing plays and screenplays. In 2012, he graduated from the City College of New York, earning an MFA in documentary filmmaking. He believes that whether it is stage, film or television, collaboration is key. We are all sailing in the same boat and each one of us must put in the work if we are ever going to move forward.
Juliann Lavallee
Juliann Lavallee (Cook/Maid 3) is a Chicago-born, New York City-based, actor, writer, and educator. Juliann began their training at Assumption College and continued their study under Austin Pendleton at HB Studio. Jules is excited to bring Cook’s nurturing energy to life in the premiere of Godly Bastard! Some of Juliann’s favorite roles include Jayne in Prime Directive (Secret Theater), Gabz in Turn that Thing Around (Unseen Artists), Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Upstage Productions), Samantha in 16 (Headless Productions), and Vixen in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues.
Logan Sigler
Logan Sigler is a Manhattan based actress, singer, and writer with a deep passion for works that make a statement. Some of Sigler’s previous credits include The Magical Journey of Arlekina (E.A. Productions), The Trial (Gandja Monteiro), and Information For Foreigners (Jersey City Theater Center), and she is currently a part of a new musical work titled Sparks (Cathy Lawrence). Originally hailing from Montana, Sigler now calls New York home and cannot wait to share Godly Bastard with you all
Surge
Born and raised in New York, Surge has performed in numerous off-off Broadway plays under numerous productions within Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. This is Surge’s second time working with ‘Director Mumtaz,’ the first in Virus Bomb (Mumtaz Hussain, 2022). In addition, Surge has starred in various short and independent films, from New York to Philadelphia. He previously studied with The Roger Simon Studio and now studies with actor Thomas G. Waites (The Warriors, The Thing, …And Justice for All). Surge was last seen performing in Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare, directed by Thomas Waites). He is bicoastal and a graphic artist since birth.
Vikram Singh Saini
Vikram Singh Saini is an American-born actor, filmmaker, and writer based in New York, with over a decade of experience in theater. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he blends storytelling with advanced technical expertise. Trained in Shakespeare, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, Meisner, and Alexander Technique, Vikram is always seeking to expand his craft. Inspired by Bollywood cinema and South Asian actors and directors from the 1950s–1990s, he channels their timeless artistry into his performances. Godly Bastard marks his latest chapter in storytelling.
Defne
Defne was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. She graduated from Pace University’s BFA Acting program last year. She believes acting to open the door to the wonders and terrors of human psychology, finding empathy in the places that seem the most unlikely. Defne recently worked on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares and has starred in multiple Off-Broadway productions in places like SoHo Playhouse, The Tank, LaGuardia Performing Arts, The Brick Aux, and short films. (Stories Will Not Mend This Broken World, Triggerman, Voyager, etc.) She is trained in Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen and contemporary theatre. Defne speaks three languages (English,Turkish, Spanish) and thought that she would become either a psychologist or lawyer before she decided to pursue acting. Defne translated and directed a reading of Haldun Taner’s famous play into English this Fall semester at Pace.
Play – Godly Bastard
- Actors’ Spotlight: Meet the Off-Broadway Cast of Godly Bastard (March 5, 2025)
- Explosive Play Godly Bastard Begins Secret Rehearsals in NYC (March 6, 2025)
Author & Director – Mumtaz Hussain
- Historic Win for Pakistani-American Author, Mumtaz Hussain, at International Impact Book Awards (April 13, 2024)
- Pakistani Mumtaz Hussain Bags 2024 International Impact Book Award (April 13, 2024)
Producer – J. Luce Foundation | Luce Productions
- Focus on Teenage Suicide Bombers in Pakistan and South Asia (March 6, 2025)
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