If you think this show's all wet, yes, part of it really is
'Bombay Dreams' features glamour, glitz, real fountain
Bollywood is a lot like Hollywood was during its glory days, if the musical "Bombay Dreams" can be believed.
And why not believe, for the lyrics of the show's very first song state "Anything is possible in 'Bombay Dreams' "?
The touring show about India's film industry, which opened to a good crowd Friday night in the Von Braun Center Concert Hall Friday night in the Colonial Properties Trust Broadway Series presented by the Broadway Theatre League, was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and has the glamour, glitter, sets, colorful costumes and creative dance numbers one would expect.
The music by Indian composer A R Rahman provides an authenticity to the sound, though it takes many different directions ranging from traditional Indian sources to pop, rock and even rap.
Like a thousand Hollywood movies, the ostensible plot centers on a handsome young man, Akaash, and his dreams of finding fame, romance and fortune on the silver screen.
There have been plays within plays already. "Bombay Dreams" is a movie, a TV show and a Miss India beauty pageant within the stage show the audience is watching.
And there were lots of attractive young people singing and dancing in exotic costumes. The dances were often erotic, but by no means obscene.
In one memorable scene, the concept of the wet T-shirt contest is taken a few steps forward with a wet sari scene. A large working fountain was on stage with much of the cast dancing in it and getting thoroughly drenched. The mopping up chores were cleverly worked into the play.
The scenery designers had a knack for making the mundane or worse look attractive. Even a slum appears inviting, which is hardly the case in reality.
But this isn't reality, it's the movies, where an aging star, Rani, who is still billed as the "Goddess of Love" calls everyone "dahling." She makes her grand entrance sitting side-saddle on a silver crescent moon lowered from overhead. How else?
Some social issues lurk in the musical, such as references to India's caste system and the untouchables. In fact, our hero's roots in the slums is a plot element. As a big-shot producer says in the play, "The public will never accept a real slum boy playing a slum boy."
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Regards,
.......Sajna.
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