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Bombay Dreams of Broadway
Will Andrew Lloyd Webber take his musical to NYC?
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Arthur J Pais
Even before most London publications began raving about the energy, music and choreography of Bombay Dreams, its producer Andrew Lloyd Webber was contemplating of taking it to the ultimate address in theatre: Broadway.
As they say in theatre (or for that matter even in Hollywood), you have not really arrived until you have been applauded on Broadway. The musical stars London-based actors Preeya Kalidas and Raza Jaffrey, with Raj Ghatak, Ayesha Dharker, Dalip Tahil, among others. And this is first time that a Lloyd Webber has its melody scored by another composer: India's A R Rahman.
"Andrew has taken a big risk here," director Steven Pimlott had told Rediff.com a few months ago. "He is convinced it needs to be seen by the widest number of people."
Now that a spokesperson for Lloyd Webber has confirmed that the $7 million production --- the first one to have an all-South Asian cast --- is Broadway-bound, newspapers in New York have been running stories on it. Daily News ran a cover story in its feature section July 2 with the headline, 'Bombay Dreams of B'Way'.
The cover ran the picture of Ayesha Dharker ready to spill her bosom in the Shakalaka baby song sequence.
'If Lloyd Webber's Dreams come true', ran the deck head for the story reported from London and in New York, London musical will win over B'way.
But Lloyd Webber's associates hasten to add that the Broadway edition will not happen tomorrow. Or, for several months.
There are several crucial reasons why it would at least three months to mount a Broadway production of Bombay Dreams.
* Finance: The musical cost $7 million in London; a Broadway production could cost at least $10 million. Lloyd Webber, who usually partners for his production, put his own money into Bombay Dreams because investors were wary. Now that the production has received tremendous buzz, several companies, including Miramax --- the movie studio that is also foraying into theatre --- have shown sharp interest.
But negotiations can take several months. Investors may also want to wait for a month or so to see if the London show is on its way to become a hit --- or at least make a modest profit.
* Cast: Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group in London hopes the British production, with mostly South Asian artists from the country, will still be playing when a New York edition opens, say after three months. The London show is booked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre till the end of September.
But if the box-office picks up and the advance swells, there will be every reason to extend the stay, perhaps with the same cast. Another possibility is that the current cast moves to New York and replaced by another South Asian cast (only Ayesha Dharkar, who plays a seductive actress, and Dalip Tahil, who portrays a movie director are from outside England).
In any event, casting is a grinding process. Over 2,000 people were auditioned London, some 200 for the key parts. The process took about three months. Lloyd Webber and his casting directors had decided against shopping for Bollywood artists as they were convinced they could not do justice to the musical part.
It will be interesting to see if they are willing to tap South Asian resources in America. There is no shortage of South Asian artists in the mainstream stage and television in America.
Three Broadway hit shows, for instance, have three South Asians in significant roles: Aasif Mandvi is the colourful Persian peddler in Oklahoma! while Anil Kumar plays an Iraqi doorman in The Tale of Allergist's Wife. And Anjali Bhimani essays several roles including that of an incestuous daughter in Metamorphoses.
* Revising the book: It is not uncommon for Broadway-bound shows that have played out elsewhere to undergo changes. The stage play can be changed, for instance. If the show is a musical, new numbers could be added.
Many London reviewers panned the show, calling its book by Meera Syal and direction inadequate. The Times critic called the climax the tamest in West End history. It is possible some of the loose ends could be tied and the climax reworked before the show reaches New York.
* Availability of a theatre: Though several Broadway theatres have their shutters down following the premature closing of many shows including Sweet Smell of Success (which lost $10 million), not every theatre could be adequate for a show like Bombay Dreams.
Because of the elaborate dance sequences and over 30 artists, the show requires a deep stage.
Meanwhile, Pimlott (and Lloyd Webber) must be wondering why some journalists in England and in America are writing that the show's success depends on the patronage of South Asians. "We would love to see great number of people from India and Pakistan in the theatre," Pimlott had said. But Lloyd Webber and he were keen on introducing the romantic musical set in Bollywood to millions of people who were not aware such a world ever existed, Pimlott added.
"We are taking people on this wonderful journey," he had elaborated. "And that is why we have not hesitated to include two Hindi songs ----- Chhaiya chhaiya and a qawwali."
The rest of the songs are in English, with lyrics from the Oscar-winning Don Black.
"Ultimately, it is an uplifting show with fantastic music and choreography," Pimlott continued. "It has all the crossover appeal."
Also Read:
Dream Girl: Preeya Kalidas
The show throbs
Who's that girl?
Ayesha Dharker, star of Bombay Dreams
Will Rahman taste sweet success?