Shows B

BOMBAY DREAMS Music by A R RAHMAN; Lyrics by DON BLACK; Book by MEERA SYAL Based on an idea by SHEKHAR KAPUR & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Presented by Andrew Lloyd Webber Director - Steven Pimlott : Decor - Mark Thompson : Lighting - Hugh Vanstone : Sound - Mick Potter Choreography - Anthony Van Laast & Farah Khan : Additional Arrangements - Christopher Nightingale Musical Director - John Gladstone Smith : Fights - Malcolm Ranson Apollo Theatre, London - Opened 19, June, 2002 - Closed 13 June 2004 Broadway Theatre, New York - Previews from 29 March, 2004. Opened 29 April, 2004. Closed 2nd January, 2005 SYNOPSIS 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. STORY Bombay Dreams is a love story set against the backdrop of the Indian movie industry: Bollywood. Akaash, a young slum dweller, dreams of becoming a huge movie star. In the meantime, he works as a tour guide in Bombay, introducing tourists to the city he loves. When the tour is over, he returns home to his grandmother, Shanti, and his best friend Sweetie, a eunuch. He donates part of his earnings to the communal collection, with which the group is trying to purchase the land on chich they live. Contractors show up to tell them the land has been bought, and they would need to raise millions to buy it themselves. Akaash promises to provide the money as soon as he becomes a famous movie star. Vikram, a lawyer who has heard about the tentants’ plight, arrives in the slum to offer his services. Shanti invites him into her home, along with his fiancé, Priya. Vikram explains that he will work pro bono. Although Sweetie and Akaash are skeptical, they eventually agree. When Akaash discovers that Priya is involved in the movie industry – her father, Madan, is a film director – he tries to get her to cast him but she explains that she hasn’t actually made any movies yet. The only job she’s managed to get is for directing is the Miss India pageant. Sweetie comes up with a plan to sneak Akaash into the pageant and get him some exposure. Madan and Vikram both support Priya at the Miss India telecast. Madan also wants her to fix the contest so he can win a bet, ensuring he’ll have enough money to hire Rani, the leading Bollywood actress, for his new film. Rani and the contestants perform for the audience. Just as the winner is announced, a group of feminist protestors – including Akaash – crash the pageant. Akaash grabs a microphone, and leads Rani and the contestants in the lively Bhangara. He and the other protestors are thrown in jail for their efforts, but

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