If you feel like taking a trip to New Delhi or Mumbai this summer, skip the flight and hop on the 6 train to Astor Place. There, at the White Box Theater at 440 Studios, Malini Srinivasan accompanied by Kadhambari Sridhar and Umesh Venkatesan will transport you not only to the Indian subcontinent, but also back in time to the second century, B.C. with their mesmerizing Bharathanatyam performance, Being Becoming.

At first, she’ll hide from you behind the translucent magenta curtain, where she will skillfully put on her make-up so her already beautiful eyes will dazzle even brighter. Then she will wrap the jiggling bracelets around her ankles. Next, she will weave flowers in her hair – and the curtain will rise – lifted by the other two dancers as if  to invite the audience into a world none of us really know. For the next hour or so, the lithe and nimble trio clad in gold, blue and red iridescent costumes will tell us stories about a spiritual seeker, a woman in love and even about the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati – all without a single word. The artists don’t need any sounds but the music and the changing staccato of its beat. The mastery of Bharathanatyam is being able to tell the story without speaking.

One of the oldest Indian classical dance forms, Bharathanatyam has a name as complex as the techniques it employs. In Tamil, a language spoken in South India, Bha- stands for Bhavam (expression), Ra- for Ragam (music) and Ta- for Talam (beat or rhythm) while Natyam means dance. So if Bharathanatyam looks unpronounceable, try Bharatha Natyam.

Having evolved from ancient Indian dancing, Bharatha Natyam is characterized by nrtta – the movement technique of complex rhythmic patterns and sharp and clear geometric shapes made by the dancers’ bodies. Another unique characteristic of this classic art form is abhinaya, the mastery of expression, and the dancers’ use of hand gestures and symbols to relate the story and their emotions to the audience.

There is a reason why the performance in called Being Becoming. It’s not just a beguiling title, made to catch your eye in the nearly 200 Fringe shows this year. The name takes its origin in the essential ideas of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, presenting the concept that a person can become one with the object of his or her desire or devotion. This idea, also popular in Indian poetry and painting, weaves through the performance pieces of the show: the spiritual seeker wishes to unite with Lord Shiva and the lovesick maiden wants to be one with Lord Vishnu.

Granted or not, their desires and explorations are a way to disappear in your dreams, and a form of meditation, perhaps. And so the dance goes on with its sharp and precise hand movements, the seductive head rolls and the gentle flutter of eyelashes followed by fervent looks up above for an ultimate solution for all the mortal and immortal ills – leading us through the wonders of Indian mythology and thousands of years of history.

~~~

Being Becoming
Malini Srinivasan and Dancers
Choreographer: Malini Srinivasan
She puts on her make-up and becomes a classical Bharatanatyam dancer. With each dazzling gesture she transforms into a playful child, forlorn lover, or Ardhanariswara: half-man, half-woman. Join us on a journey where gestures create and each of us transforms.
1h 15m   Local   Queens, New York
Dance   Drama
Staycation: Overseas Adventure   Ride the Rollercoaster of Love
www.malinisrinivasan.com
VENUE #06: The White Box at 440 Studios
Sat 11 @ 2:30  Fri 17 @ 6:15  Sun 19 @ 9:15  Tue 21 @ 2  Thu 23 @ 9:15  Fri 24 @ 7

Related Posts:

• Contrasts (Fringe Festival 2012)
• Pink Milk (Fringe Festival 2012)
• Snow White Zombie: Apocalypse – The End Is Nigh In Fairy Tale Land (Fringe Festival 2012)
• Punk Grandpa: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• For Body And Light (2014 Frigid New York Festival)

 The Mini-Fridge Elevenses*

11 Questions, 11 Answers … ZERO calories, and 100% YUMMY!

 *Elevenses is a snack that is similar to afternoon tea, but eaten in the morning and might consist of some cake or biscuits with a cup of coffee or tea. The name refers to the time of day that it is taken: around 11 am. 

Bare.

Produced by: Your Mom Presents

Raw stories paired with raw burlesque. Bare. will rip the heart out of your chest, place it lovingly back in, and proceed to do it all over again.

 Show Times:

• Sunday July 1st @ 9PM

Answers by: Peter Aguero
(creator, curator, host )

 1. Your tag line is featured above, so we know the PR version of what this play is about. But when you talk to your family and friends, how do you explain the show to them?
Peter:  My favorite stories are the hardest to tell. My favorite burlesque acts are usually the most emotionally complicated. With this show, I’ve combined the two. Each story is paired with a burlesque act that comments on the shared theme.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Peter:  I hope that they are too emotionally worn out to discuss anything.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Peter:  Theme.

4. What’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you the most proud?
Peter: I’ve had more than one person tell me that they hated me for making them confront their own demons while watching the show.

5. Let’s fantasize for a moment. Let’s take the “off-off” off. Imagine this show is on Broadway. Would that change the production itself?
Peter: Nope. Simple is best. Though I’d probably blow the cash on fireworks and pyro for no reason.

6. Taking that one step further – after paying everyone what they’re worth of course, what is the most lavish, luxurious, frivolous thing you would spend money on if there was no constraints? (Think of the helicopter in Miss Saigon).
Peter: I’d buy myself a robotic mech suit with rocket launchers and a whiskey dispenser.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, anything that gets a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Peter:   Each production has different story/burlesque pairings so every time we do it, there’s a different reaction.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Peter:   ”Thank you for coming” – that means that we made it through alive.

9. Is the world of this play sustainable outside a theatre? In other words … do you think people live the way the characters do? Would you want a world where they do?
Peter:  I tell the truth (or as close to it as possible) in my stories. I also spend most of my time with burlesque performers. Whether or not my lifestyle is sustainable is still under review.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Peter:  My dad. I tell a lot of stories about him and he wouldn’t be pleased about any of them.

11. Time for Elevenses! Go to the mini-fridge of your fantasy hotel. What’s your dream 11:00am snack?
Peter:  Coconut Macaroons and a cup of coffee.

Thanks, Peter, for having your Elevenses with us here at THM!  We can’t wait to see Bare.!

If you’d like to catch Bare. at The Mini-Fridge Festival find out more by clicking this link.

~~~

HORSE TRADE THEATER GROUP IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRIGID NEW YORK PRESENT THE 2012 MINI-FRIDGE

JUNE 28 – JULY 4 @ UNDER ST. MARKS The mini-festival will play at UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A) June 28-July 4. Tickets ($15/$12 students & seniors) are available online  or by calling 212-868-4444. 

Related Posts:

• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With Bye Bye Bombay!
• Why So Much Shame?: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With initium/finis!
• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With Kill The Band – Mock Bottom Mockumental CD Release Experience!
• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With Lord Gregory & Mademoiselle Godin’s miniXMAS Spectacular!

 The Mini-Fridge Elevenses*

11 Questions, 11 Answers … ZERO calories, and 100% YUMMY!

 *Elevenses is a snack that is similar to afternoon tea, but eaten in the morning and might consist of some cake or biscuits with a cup of coffee or tea. The name refers to the time of day that it is taken: around 11 am. 

Bye Bye Bombay

Produced by: Cara Yeates

Bye Bye Bombay is the story of Gauri a young woman who, after her mother’s tragic death, travels to India to ‘find herself’. Instead, Gauri loses herself in the exciting world of Bollywood. There she meets a colorful cast of characters including the washed up starlet, the Russian dancer and one lecherous director. A foreigner lost in a maze of masala, will Gauri find something more valuable than pandex, glitter, fancy footwork?

Show Times:

• Thursday June 28th @ 8:30PM
• Friday June 29th @ 7PM
• Saturday June 30th @ 7PM

Answers by: Cara Yeates
Actor, Writer, Producer, Multimedia Artist

 1. Your tag line is featured above, so we know the PR version of what this play is about. But when you talk to your family and friends, how do you explain the show to them?
CARA: It’s about a girl who travels to India ‘find herself’, and instead she loses herself in Bollywood.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
CARA:  Bye Bye Bombay is a intriguing mix of fact and fiction, so people always speculate about what really happened and what did not.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
CARA:  I would say character because not only is the show about character transformation, but it’s also filled with colorful characters.

4. What’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you the most proud?
CARA:  “Bye Bye Bombay is so moving and entertaining!”

5. Let’s fantasize for a moment. Let’s take the “off-off” off. Imagine this show is on Broadway. Would that change the production itself?
CARA:  As it is a solo show, I get to play an amazing cast of characters, but it would be fun to see these characters brought to life by other actors.

6. Taking that one step further – after paying everyone what they’re worth of course, what is the most lavish, luxurious, frivolous thing you would spend money on if there was no constraints? (Think of the helicopter in Miss Saigon).
CARA:  I would have the full on Bollywood experience on stage. An actual river in the show would be awesome too.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, anything that gets a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
CARA:  The creepy Bollywood director either gets laughs or gasps depending on the audience. Usually there’s a mixture of the two.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
CARA:   That’s a tough one. I would say either “it’s a special aryuvedic formula that helps  breasts grow”, or “The raindrop karate chops open the door and starts beating up the terrorists, “hi-ya, ka- blamo, buka-laka shaka”.

9. Is the world of this play sustainable outside a theatre? In other words … do you think people live the way the characters do? Would you want a world where they do?
CARA: I spent a year in India researching the show. It was the best/worst time of my life. A lot of what is in the show has come from my real life experiences or others. Although, I did take some creative liberties in writing the show, and a few of my characters are over the top.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
CARA: A woman sitting in the front row in her sari laughing at my jokes. This actually has happened.

11. Time for Elevenses! Go to the mini-fridge of your fantasy hotel. What’s your dream 11:00am snack?
CARA: Idli and sambar. It’s a savory steamed rice and lentil cake that’s served in the south of India with a spicy dahl and coconut chutney. Yum!

Thanks, Cara, for having your Elevenses with us here at THM!  We can’t wait to see Bye Bye Bombay!

If you’d like to catch Bye Bye Bombay at The Mini-Fridge Festival find out more by clicking this link.

~~~

HORSE TRADE THEATER GROUP IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRIGID NEW YORK PRESENT THE 2012 MINI-FRIDGE

JUNE 28 – JULY 4 @ UNDER ST. MARKS The mini-festival will play at UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A) June 28-July 4. Tickets ($15/$12 students & seniors) are available online  or by calling 212-868-4444. 

Related Posts:

• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With Kill The Band – Mock Bottom Mockumental CD Release Experience!
• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With Lord Gregory & Mademoiselle Godin’s miniXMAS Spectacular!
• Why So Much Shame?: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• 2nd Season Mini Fridge – Tasty, Filling And Leaving Audience Wanting More! (Jun 28, 2012 – Jul 04, 2012 )
• Grab A Snack From The Mini-Fridge