Poway OnStage to Welcome Back Bollywood Revue TAJ EXPRESS

With music by Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, produced by Vaibhavi and Shruti Merchant with a cast made up of dancers from the Bollywood Film Industry, Taj Express will be at Poway OnStage for a single matinee performance on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 2:00pm.

Having entertained billions worldwide for decades, India's Bollywood film industry is among the most prolific and profitable production hubs of global cinema. The moniker, "Bollywood," is a combination of two words: Bombay and Hollywood. Bombay, now known as Mumbai, produces more movies per year than Hollywood. The production is the first original Indian musical to have successfully completed five years of international touring. The Merchant family is one of the dynastic families who have been in the Bollywood Film Industry for decades.

IF YOU GO:

TAJ EXPRESS

At The Poway Center for The Performing Arts
15498 Espola Rd. Poway, CA. 92064
(corner of Titan Way)

On Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 2:00pm

Tickets ($24-$69)

Online: www.powayonstage.org

Phone: 858-748-0505 The Box Office is open 12-5pm Friday, 10-3pm Saturday and two hours before curtain on show days.

Due to its generous sponsorship, GEICO Youth Tickets (for ages 12 and under) are half off regular pricing. Discounts are available for seniors (65+), active duty military, and students (12-22). Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 858-668-4797.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

Shruti Merchant - Producer/Director

Shruti Merchant began her career assisting her sister Vaibhavi Merchant in films like "Doom," "Laisha," "Baughman," "Kuch Na Kaho," "Kal Ho Na Ho," "Devdas" and "Jab Tak Hai Jaan." She made her debut as a choreographer and won the Big Entertainment Award for Best Choreography for the song "Thug Le" from "Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl."

Vaibhavi Merchant -Director of Choreography

Vaibhavi Merchant is one of Bollywood's leading dance choreographers. The granddaughter of pioneering Indian choreographer Shri B Hiralal, Vaibhavi's journey with dance began at an early age. During her career, Vaibhavi has choreographed dance numbers in numerous Bollywood hit films. She has been awarded a National Film Award for her choreography in "Dhol Baaje" from "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam." Her recent hits include "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag," "Dhoom-3," "Fan," "Sultan" and "Befikre." Vaibhavi was also the choreography director for "The Merchants of Bollywood," which has been touring globally for the past ten years.

Pranav Merchant - Executive Producer

Pranav Merchant has spent his life building businesses in varied industries including real estate, entertainment, and guiding them to profitability. His passion for the international musical business brings Pranav on board the Taj Express, where he hopes to introduce audiences in India and abroad to the true essence of India while creating a global platform to showcase Indian talent. As the Executive Producer, Pranav has been dedicated to getting some of the Indian entertainment industry's most gifted talents involved in Taj Express.

Toby Gough - Writer

An award-winning international music theatre Writer and Director, Toby Gough is the creator of hit Musicals such as "The Merchants of Bollywood," "The Bar at Buena Vista," "Lady Salsa," "Soy de Cuba," "Hemingway's Havana" and "Havana Rumba!" He is also currently working on two new musicals- "Miami Libre" with Cuban artists living in Miami in collaboration with the Grammy-nominated super group Tiempo Libre and a new Hip-Hop project, in the "Dharavi Slums of Mumbai." He recently produced the "Cuban Gypsy" project album with world music guru Damian Draghici and other legends of Cuban and Gypsy music.

Salim & Sulaiman Merchant - Music Composers

Salim and Sulaiman are a renowned Indian music composer duo credited with a host of chart-topping hits. In the past decade the duo have composed music for blockbuster Bollywood flicks such as "Chak De India," "Fashion," "Neal 'n' Nikki" and "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi."

ABOUT POWAY ONSTAGE:

Poway OnStage (dba The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation), is a 26-year-old non-profit organization that offers a professional performing arts series, including music, dance, theater, comedy and more by nationally and internationally-renowned performers. Poway OnStage also hosts an Arts in Education Initiative that serves more than 4,300 students in the Poway Unified School District. Its Arts in Education Initiative programs include a free, one-week musical theater camp Introduction to Instruments assemblies Master Classes with visiting artists and reduced price youth theater tickets made possible by GEICO. Visit www.powayonstage.org.

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts, owned and operated by the City of Poway as a division of the Community Services Department, provides high quality performance space for professional performances, community-based productions and Poway Unified School District students.

Photo courtesy of Taj Express