Photo ©2006 Joan Marcus

If you liked ‘Mamma Mia,' You’re Going to Love ‘Bombay Dreams’

By Daniel Hines
Publisher
www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com 

There is a special quality to ‘Bombay Dreams’, now playing at the Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis through April 16.  It offers many things—color, high energy, humor and a bit of poignancy.  But, it was my wife, Brooks, who came up with what it was that makes it such an enjoyable production: 

“It’s the Indian ‘Mama Mia’,” she observed.  “If you liked ‘Mamma Mia’, you’re going to love ‘Bombay Dreams.’”

She was absolutely right.  Just as ‘Mamma Mia’ ties together the songs of ABBA to provide the thread that holds the show together, ‘Bombay Dreams’ takes us to a world that is unknown to most Americans—the backstage of Bollywood, the name given to the Indian movie industry, which produces more films than any country in the world (although, based on the satirical references in ‘Bombay Dreams’ to titles and production qualities, many seem to be ripoffs of American movie themes or expanded MTV-type musical videos.) 

But that doesn’t matter.  The point is that after a slow start that was difficult to follow because of picking up the clipped English spoken and sung by some of the cast, this production explodes into an extravaganza of color, choreography and energy that makes for a thoroughly great even of entertainment. 

As to the dialect, early on the cast seemed to slow down their pronunciation a bit and that made picking up the corny but funny asides much easier.  Or perhaps I just got used to it. Try to imagine that you are on the line with Dell Technical Support, and you will understand what I mean. 

But, this was opening night, so that’s a mild criticism, easily overcome. 

Ironically, the ‘plot’ of the show is very American—the traditional desire of the young kid wanting to make it big in Bollywood, who only needs his big chance.  However, unlike Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland films (hey, let’s have a show in the old empty barn), this takes place against the backdrop of Indian slums, read untouchables.   

The story line is very Hollywood, though. 

Bollywood is looking for its next big star.  Slum  dweller Akaash, played wonderfully by Sachin Bhatt, a graduate of Parkway Central High School in St. Louis (what a great homecoming for Bhatt), has the looks and voice and great dancing ability to make it, if only he gets his chance. 

The illusion is amplified by the fact that the transitions are set against the backdrop of ‘backstage’ at a movie theater, complete with the announcement of scenes, lights, camera and action direction, skillfully blended so that the distinction between reality and the fantasy of movie-making becomes skillfully blurred. 

But there’s more:  enter Akaash’s opportunity, when a weasel lawyer, (perhaps things are not that different between America and India after all) arrives in the slums, offering to offer free legal service to prevent the dwellings from being bulldozed (if there is a sequel to this, the guy will probably get a job as part of Tom Delay’s K Street Project). 

Every show like this needs a villain, and the Vikram the lawyer, played with a proper tone of smoothness that is nothing more than a cover by Deep Katdare, fills the bill. 

Add to this the fact that Vikram’s fiancé, the beautiful Priya, played by Reshma Shetty, who brings not only looks but a beautiful singing voice to the role, is the idealistic daughter of one of Bollywood’s most  famous movie producers who needs to recover from a string of flops, and is looking for, guess what—a vehicle to attract the beautiful and famous Rani, who is played by an absolutely stunningly beautiful Sandra Allen, to star in a movie that will regain his lost momentum. 

All of this occurs in the very earliest parts of the production, so pay attention or you could get lost later on. 

For example, even though there is a bit of an American undertone, the show also has some very significant cultural differences ranging from untouchables to eunuchs. The eunuchs seemed to be the hardest part for the audience to comprehend, and at intermission, I still heard people asking why they had men dressed as women doing so many dances. 

And that’s a bit of a shame, because the Hijra (eunuch) ‘Sweetie’, portrayed by Annesh Sheth is central to the show’s success.  (He) (She) has absolutely the best singing voice of the evening, delivering a beautiful rendition of different songs that build the theme of the love she  holds for Akaash, to the point of death.  Sheth also has a sense of timing and mischievousness that is central to the show. 

The show includes some really funny scenes also, made possible in large part by Priya’s movie-producer Father, Madan, played by Suresh John.  This guy is really funny, and brings a truly likeable quality to his roguish character.  Christine Toy Johnson, played by Kitty DeSouza, is the acid-tongued reviewer of the Bollywood movie scene.  She is truly delightful. 

But the ‘stars’ of the show are the high energy colorful production quality, and the entertaining choreography.  The ‘break through’ occurs when Akaash turns it up at the Miss India Beauty Pageant, all made possible by the intervention of ‘Sweetie’ as part of a protest against the ‘exploitation of women.’  After that, the show and characters truly seemed to come alive. 

There is one major cultural difference that illustrates the gap between the India and America.  Remember Akaash comes from the slum, an untouchable…he must decide whether or not to keep is origins secret from a fawning public that would reject him if they knew where he comes from…or will he use his new-found fame to return to his roots to save his aging Grandmother and other slum dwellers, risking all that he had dreamed of…or, will he in both Hollywood and Bollywood fashion, be able to accomplish both. 

While I won’t spoil the ending for readers, be prepared for something different from America where the little guy coming from obscurity to overcome adversity is hailed as an asset and something of which to be proud. 

But, it’s only make-believe…and highly enjoyable make-believe.  Back to the ‘Mamma Mia’ comparison…don’t go to it or ‘Bombay Dreams’ expecting heavy musical theater.  Just go to have a good time.  You won’t be disappointed.