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By Andrew Gans
and Andrew Ku
09 Nov 2004

Tamyra Gray

Tamyra Gray — of "American Idol" fame — makes her Broadway debut Nov. 9 in the Bollywood-themed musical Bombay Dreams at the Broadway Theatre.

Gray, who placed fourth in the first season of the hit TV singing competition, has been cast as Priya, the earnest film director, the role created on Broadway by Anisha Nagarajan. Gray will play a limited engagement of 12 weeks.

A.R. Rahman, the composer of Bombay Dreams, said in a statement, "I have been an admirer of Tamyra Gray from the start and am thrilled she's joined the Broadway company of Bombay Dreams. She's going to be wonderful."

Following her exit from American Idol, Gray was the first alumnus of the reality TV smash to attain crossover success, with appearances on TV's "Boston Public" and "Tru Calling." In May 2004, her album "The Dreamer" was released, featuring songs the singer had written or co-written.

The Broadway company also features the talents of Manu Narayan (as Akaash), Anjali Bhimani (as Rani), Sriram Ganesan (as Akaash's best friend Sweetie), Marvin L. Ishmael (as Madan), Deep Katdare (as lawyer and Priya's fiance, Vikram) and Yolande Bavan (as Akaash's grandmother, Shanti).

With music by A. R. Rahman, lyrics by Don Black and a revised book by Thomas Meehan and Myra Syal, Bombay Dreams tells the story of Akaash, a brash young slum-dweller who dreams of becoming a Bollywood movie star and meeting his idol, the voluptuous screen siren Rani. And wouldn't you know it, his dream comes true—but not without some personal costs and a good dousing in an on-stage dancing fountain.

Bombay Dreams opened at the Broadway Theatre April 29. Song titles include "Salaa'm Bombay," "Bollywood," "Love's Never Easy," "Lovely, Lovely Ladies," "Bhangra," "Shakalaka Baby," "I Could Live Here," "Is This Love?," "Famous," "Chaiyya Chaiyya," "How Many Stars?," "Hero," "Ganesh Procession," "The Journey Home" and "Wedding Qawali."

The Broadway Theatre is located at 1681 Broadway at 53rd Street. Tickets are priced $60-$100.

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