Bombay Dreams

Infobox Musical
name= Bombay Dreams


caption= 2002 Original London Cast Recording
music= A. R. Rahman
lyrics= Don Black
book= Meera Syal & Thomas Meehan
basis=
productions= 2002 West End
2004 Broadway
awards=

"Bombay Dreams" is a Bollywood-themed musical. The music for Bombay Dreams was created by A. R. Rahman, lyrics by Don Black. The plot was written by Meera Syal and it was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The London production opened in 2002. The musical also ran on Broadway from April 29, 2004 to January 1, 2005 (284 performances) at The Broadway Theatre.

Plot

The story centers around Akaash, a young man from the slums of Bombay who dreams of becoming the next big star in Bollywood. Fate steps in when a rich pro-bono lawyer and his fiancée, an aspiring documentary filmmaker, arrive to prevent the demolition of Akaash's slum. Akaash quickly falls in love with the lawyer's fiancée, Priya, who happens to be the daughter of a famous Bollywood director, and the ticket to the top that Akaash needs. Complications arise as Akaash faces the reality of show business, fame, his love for Priya, and his obligations to his family, friends, and his Paradise slum.

The plot includes frequent reference to the change of name from Bombay to Mumbai of the titular city and references the identity issues that this raises.

The plot, format and characters of "Bombay Dreams" were revised several times. The book of the musical was rewritten and many songs were cut and other songs added to the show for the Broadway run.

Notable songs

Bombay Dreams spawned the hit single Shakalaka Baby and also featured a remix of the notable song Chaiyya Chaiyya as part of the production.

Musical Numbers

London version

*1. Bombay Awakes
*2. Bombay Dreams
*3. Like An Eagle
*4. Love's Never Easy "(Reworked version, Original: Ishq Bina - Taal)"
*5. Don't Release Me
*6. Happy Endings "(Reworked version, Original: Rangeela Re - Rangeela)"
*7. Ooh La La "(Reworked version, Original: Ooh La La La - Minsara Kanavu)"
*8. Shakalaka Baby "(Reworked version, Original: Shakalaka Baby - Mudhalvan)"
*9. Are You Sure You Want To Be Famous? "(Refined version, From: Sona Nahi Na Sahi - One 2 Ka 4)"
*10. I Could Live Here
*11. Only Love
*12. Chaiyya Chaiyya "(Reworked version, Original: Chhaiyan Chhaiyan - Dil Se)"
*13. How Many Stars
*14. Salaam Bombay
*15. Closer Than Ever "(Reworked version, Inspired from: Nahin Saamne - Taal)"
*16. Ganesh
*17. The Journey Home
*18. Wedding Qawwali
*19. Bombay Sleeps

Broadway version

*1. Salaam Bombay (overture)
*2. Bollywood
*3. Love's Never Easy
*4. Lovely, Lovely, Ladies
*5. Bhangra
*6. Shakalaka Baby
*7. I Could Live Here
*8. Is This Love?
*9. Famous
*10. Love's Never Easy (reprise)
*11. Chaiyya Chaiyya
*12. How Many Stars?
*13. Salaam Bombay (reprise)
*14. Hero
*15. Ganesh Procession
*16. The Journey Home
*17. Wedding Qawwali

Theatrical runs

Bombay Dreams enjoyed a successful opening run in London from 2002 where its original cast included:http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/bombaydreams/cast/londonorig2002.htm Original Bombay Dreams Cast, London 2002]
*Preeya Kalidas as Priya
*Raza Jaffrey as Akaash
*Ayesha Dharker as Rani
*Dalip Tahil as Madan
*Ramon Tikaram as Vikram

Bombay Dreams also enjoyed a run on Broadway in 2004 where a notable cast member was Madhur Jaffrey as Shanti.http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/bombaydreams/cast/broadwayorig2004.htm Broadway 2004 Cast]

A new production produced by Atlanta's Theater of the Stars and the Independent Presenters Association started touring North America in February 2006.

References

External links

* [http://niralimagazine.com/2004/09/brown-on-broadway/ Brown on Broadway]
* [http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/bombaydreams/ Bombay Dreams]
* [http://www.stlyrics.com/b/bombaydreams.htm Soundtrack]
* [http://www.americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter/detail/ayesha_dharker_and_manu_narayan Ayesha Dharker and Manu Narayan] - "Downstage Center" interview at American Theatre Wing.org