I finally saw the Broadway musical on a non-broadway street in Seattle (the company is touring the city for 20 odd days). I found the show fairly enjoyable, once you are prepared to overlook the terrible clichés. What's the deal with untouchables in slums and kissing in Hindi movies and the other pre-historic notions that are sprayed across the production with gay abandon? Aah, but we are catering to a Western audience. Silly of me. A little criticism of India and Mumbai and the workings of the Indian film industry is ok, but the insinuations are pointless at times. The best part and the saving grace was the music. It was fun to hear all the known compositions being done in a live format. The percussionists especially were excellent. Overall, worth a watch for the fancy and the energy and the music and choreography, but I hope they follow it up with a more realistic depiction of India.
P.S> Been trying to upload a poster of Bombay Dreams, but it keeps bailing on me. Shall try again later. Till then, here's the link
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It launched here amidst great fanfare and publicity. We watched it just as it was about to finish its run in the West End and had already opened on Broadway. I enjoyed the music and dancing - recreation from masala movie types. But the story just reinforced all the stereotypes for the firnagi's and on some level that made me quite sad.
Watched it in Atlanta last month. The percussionists on both sides of the stage caught my fancy and I spent most of the second half trying to follow their hand movements...:-)
High-caste? Why ever would you have that angle in a India-based musical? Completely not required, I thought.
Are you watching the cricket matches. They are driving me nuts.
@30in2005: I guess the London version and hype must be more than trumped up. Is the 'broadway' style show a common thing in London as well?
@Lakshmi: Yup, exactly my thoughts. BTW, can't post comments on your blog because it keeps trying to record my IP address. Firewalls won't like that :-)
@SD: Not watching, but following on the internet. Sachin just reinforced that indeed cricket might fall off my radar after he retires.
I had been wanting to watch this since I was in London, more than 3 years back...
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