| Bombay Dreams | |
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| 2002 Original London Cast Recording | |
|---|---|
| Music | A. R. Rahman |
| Lyrics | Don Black |
| Book | Meera Syal |
| Productions | 2002 West End 2004 Broadway |
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.
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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
- Bombay Awakes
- Bombay Dreams
- Like An Eagle
- Love's Never Easy
- Don't Release Me
- Happy Endings
- Ooh La La
- Shakalaka Baby
- Are You Sure You Want To Be Famous?
- I Could Live Here
- Only Love
- Chaiyya Chaiyya
- How Many Stars
- Salaam Bombay
- Closer Than Ever
- Ganesh
- The Journey Home
- Wedding Qawwali
- Bombay Sleeps
Theatrical runs
Bombay Dreams has enjoyed a successful theatrical runs in London from 2002 and also enjoyed a run in New York. A new production produced by Atlanta's Theater of the Stars and the Independent Presenters Association started touring North America in February 2006.
Trivia
- The song Shakalaka Baby was taken from another of A.R.Rahman composed Tamil hit film Mudhalvan
External links
- Bombay Dreams
- Soundtrack
- Ayesha Dharker and Manu Narayan - Downstage Center interview at American Theatre Wing.org
