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Join Our List
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Dear Friends:
Happy New Year!
These past few weeks, we've been getting ready for the world premiere of Tea with Chachaji,
our new family musical which plays from January 25 – February 11 around New York City
With a compelling story about an Asian-Indian family striving to preserve their heritage and culture in
America, Tea with Chachaji is a one-of-a-kind production. The influences of Indian ragas
and the Bollywood beat, Hanuman stories and Indian dance stretch the boundaries of musical theatre and
theatre for youth.
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Don't miss out! We only do one full-scale musical a year and all Brooklyn and Bronx performances
are already sold out!
Schools and Families can still catch Tea with Chachaji at:
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
199 Chambers Street (bet. Greenwich & West Streets)
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Sat & Sun |
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Jan 30 & 31 | |
1pm & 4pm |
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$16 |
| Mon – Wed |
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Feb 1 – 3 |
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10am & Noon |
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$7* |
| Wed |
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Feb 3 |
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7pm |
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$16 |
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For school groups:
All other ticket purchases/reservations:
(212) 220-1460 or
SmartTix
*Thanks to Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito and Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, special
discounts are available for schools in: Chelsea, Clinton, Murray Hill, Midtown West (up to
66th Street), East Harlem, and Lower Bronx (up to E. 161 Street).
We can't wait to see you at the theatre,
Barbara, Debra Sue, Kim, Lorraine, Brooke, Jenny, Emma & Karen
The Staff of Making Books Sing
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SPECIAL FEATURE: Tea with Chachaiji
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TEA WITH CHACHAJI
Book and Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins
Music by Denver Casado
Based on the book, "Chachaji's Cup", by Uma Krishnaswami
with illustrations by Souyma Sitaraman.
Published 2004 by Children's Book Press.
Directed and choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Musical Direction by Tim Rosser
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In Tea with Chachaji, traditional folklore and Bollywood flavor help tell the story of an Indian-American
boy and his family's history. Chachaji, the great-uncle of 12-year-old Neel, sips masala chai
while entertaining his nephew and his Indian-born mother with wonderful tales. The greatest story of
all is found in Chachaji's teacup. This precious heirloom migrated with young Chachaji and his
mother during the Partition of 1947. As they walked from newly formed Pakistan to India, she
swore to her son, "If this cup can cross the border without breaking, then we can cross the
border without breaking."
As Neel grows older and busier, so grows the distance
between Indian traditions and American life. After accidentally breaking Chachaji's cup, the
teen must repair this symbol of survival and his relationship with his great-uncle. In doing so, he
learns the value of his family and heritage. The one-hour performance includes traditional Indian
dance and music played on Indian instruments.
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Featuring:
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Raja Burrows * |
Stephanie Klemons * |
Tony Mirrcandani |
Soneela Nankani | José A. Sepulveda
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*Members,
Actors Equity Association |
§Members,
United Scenic Artists
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Production Stage Manager,
Elis Arroyo *
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Costume Design, Leslie Bernstein §
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Set & Media Design, Cory Einbinder §
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Lighting Design, Douglas Cox §
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Sound Design, Bill Grady
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View the
performance postcard.
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Friday, January 22 – Sunday, January 24
Make a Barnes & Noble-Tribeca purchase and a percentage of the sales goes to Making
Books Sing Inc. The book fair begins this Friday, January 22 with the VIP
Reading featuring author, Uma Krishnaswami, at 97 Warren Street (at
the corner of Greenwich Street) or go online to: www.bn.com/mybookfairs and enter: 10047603
Copies of the book will not be sold during performances
at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Buy the book from B&N Tribeca and
support Making Books Sing!
Saturday, January 30
Making Books Sing Annual Benefit - "A Taste of India"
Salaam Bombay, 319 Greenwich Street
(bet. Duane and Reade Streets)
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Event tickets are sold-out!
Support the event by purchasing a raffle ticket or making a donation at
www.makingbookssing.org
Sunday, January 31
11:30am & 2:30pm
Church Street School for Music and Art
74 Warren Street
Making Books Sing and Church Street School host
a "Theatre Party Workshop" for Church Street School members and their families.
The two workshops will include 45-minute music and theatre activities for FREE!
$13.50 per ticket (adult or child) with FREE workshop at Church Street School!
Register by Jan. 25:
events@makingbookssing.org or (212) 573-8791 x238
Subject line: Church Street School & MBS
Include Name, Telephone, E-mail Address and Amount of Guests/Tickets
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Q & A with Tea with Chachaji
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Behind the Scenes with Tea with Chachaji's Director/Choreographer Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Describe your musical theater background. When did you first
start directing? What made you want to be a director?
My mother loves theater and as a young child that was something we loved and shared
in common together. [I started directing] when I was 13. I remember dressing up my siblings
and directing them in skits. Directing is a calling and it was always in my spirit, and
I am glad God and my family and friends encouraged me to follow my calling.
You've also directed A Band of Angels and A Shelter in
Our Car for Making Books Sing. What about directing for MBS is most appealing to you?
I believe children are our future, and when I was a child I didn't see many musicals that
reflected my culture. MBS and their mission, and commitment to diversity in subject matter
and casting, inspire me.
Tea with Chachaji relates to your Indian heritage, while
your two previous MBS shows related to your Caribbean heritage. How does the process and
experience of working on Tea with Chachaji compare to that of your two previous shows?
Every show I work on is a unique experience, but this show has opened a part of my heart and
spirit that has not only educated me about my culture even more, but allowed me to honor my
ancestors through my work.
How has directing this show influenced your feelings about your own
Indian heritage and your own family?
It's a reminder to me to tell the story to my children of where my family [came from] and what
sacrifices and strength it took for my ancestors to come to this country, so that [my children
and I] could live a better life.
What is your favorite moment in Tea with Chachaji? Why?
I love the entire show but my favorite moment is when Chachaji dances with Neel at the end.
It's a full-circle moment.
What was your experience with family theater/theater for young
audiences like when you were young?
It was very limited, and frustrating to never see people that looked like me on stage or in
the storytelling.
What is it like now that you're a director and a parent?
I feel like I am laying a legacy not only for myself in the work I choose to collaborate on,
but that I am also leaving a legacy for my children to grow from.
How has working with Making Books Sing influenced your feelings
about family theater?
I have always been a great supporter of family theater and will continue to support it. MBS
has set a new bar for excellence in this field in the American theater and I am proud to be
part of the movement.
Tea with Chachaji premieres January 25 – February 11, 2010 across New
York City
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Tea with Chachaji highlights!
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Check out some of the recent articles about our production:
Special thanks to our leading partners:
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Making Books Sing is a 501(c)3 organization at the forefront of uniting professional theater.
If you'd like to make a contribution or find out more about our programs, call 212-573-8791
ext. 238 or visit our website:
www.makingbookssing.org.
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