Review: WEST BOLLYWOOD - An Energizing Show That'll Make You Wanna Dance

WEST BOLLYWOOD/by Aruna Harjani/directed by Kiff Scholl/Matrix Theatre/thru July 29, 2018

World Premiere of playwright Aruna Harjani's WEST BOLLYWOOD received an earnest mounting at The Matrix Theatre. The outstanding, high-energy choreography by Danish Bhandara greatly complemented this mash-up (or clash) of West Hollywood gay life and the more traditional Indian culture. All involved executed the intricate Bollywood and contemporary dance steps with enthusiasm and nimble footwork. Kudos to the core of eight dancers (Adriana Rafaela, Alexa Lucchese, Estefanie Morena, Jacob Magana, Monica Moskatow, Nick DiCola, Shivani Thakkar and Taylor Jayne), and 'A well danced!' to the acting leads.

WEST BOLLYWOOD opens up with an envigorating, contemporary flash mob for the surprise proposal of software designer Pratap to his boyfriend Daniel. Bhandara's dance numbers fit in seamlessly in this show, actually making sense as extensions of festive events (not add-on dance breaks). Very nice!

Abhi Sinha essays Pratap, a seemingly nice guy, until after the wedding, moving his betrothed in to live with his parents and grandparents. Pratap's more traditionally Indian family rule the household, and now Pratap's new partner.

Easy to see the charming Derek DeVault, as Daniel, win over Pratap. DeVault continues his charm and persuasiveness throughout the play, even after Pratap seems to have loss the honeymoon glow. DeVault dominates all his scenes as Daniel whether he's battling wits with his stuck-in-tradition in-laws or having an intimate girl talk with his mother-in-law Leela (the wonderful Abbe Rowlins). In the midst of all the comedy provided by the caricatures of the grandparents (Koushik as Grandfrather and K. T. Thangavelu as Grandmother), DeVault's Daniel and Rowlins' Leela scenes effectively tug the heartstrings. Leela's place in this household seems to be as an indentured servant, or otherwise known (in an Indian household) as Pratap's mother and wife of Lachu (Sameer Khan).

Director Kiff Scholl moves the non-dance scenes at an energetic pace, also eliciting nice performances from Daniel's side of the family - Juli Cuccia (Daniel's mom Olivia), Paul Michael Nieman (Daniel's father James), and Cara Delaporta (Daniel's sister Jamie).

Kudos to set designer Pete Hickok and projection designer Katerina Pagsolingan for their interchangeable sets and locales. Hickok for his sliding platforms of rooms coming from under Pagsolingan's vivid projections of places and proverbs.

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