The musical — featuring a score by A R Rahman and Don Black and a book by Meera Syal and Thomas Meehan — will have played 31 previews and 284 regular performances since its April 2004 debut.
Based on an idea by Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who co-produced the London mounting, 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 dreams come true—but not without some personal costs and a good dousing in an on-stage dancing fountain.
The production mirrors many a Bollywood musical in its lavish and plentiful production numbers, which find a good portion of the grinning Bombay population joyously dancing in unison to a propulsive beat. The show's centerpiece is perhaps the disco-ish "Shakalaka Baby," in which Rani and Akaash dance in and around a growing fountain.
The musical was directed by Steven Pimlott and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast and Farah Khan. The show, which brought East Indian-flavored music and dance to the West End and later to Broadway, had its world premiere at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre on June 19, 2002.
Featuring a cast of 39, the Broadway production currently stars "American Idol" star Tamyra Gray as Priya, Manu Narayan as Akaash, Anjali Bhimani as Rani, Yolande Bavan as Shanti, Sriram Ganesan as Sweetie, Marvin L. Ishmael as Madan and Deep Katdare as Vikram. 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."
"We are so proud of the production of Bombay Dreams that has played on Broadway and all those who have been involved with it," said Elizabeth Williams, a producer of the Broadway production. "We look forward to bringing the production to theatregoers around the country with a national tour that will begin during the 2005-2006 season."
Bombay Dreams featured scenic and costume design by Mark Thompson, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Mick Potter, and was produced on Broadway by Waxman Williams and TGA, in association with Denise Rich/Ralph Williams, Scott Prisand/Danny Seraphine, Hal Thau/Max Cooper/ADProductions and The Independent Presenters Network.
Tickets are scaled from $40-$100 and are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200 or in person at the Broadway Theatre box office (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street).
Visit the official website at www.bombaydreams.com.
