Bombay Dreams on B'way World Radio

[dramafreak13]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 1:35pm

k, so they just played a song from bombay dreams on the station and it seriously made me want to run screaming out of the room. ahhhh, it made my physically repulsed. thank god they are playing john and jen now....

[Brodybaby03]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 1:36pm

whats WRONG with Bombay Dreams guys!???! I just don't get it, Im listening to it at work right now ( I bought the CD after I saw the show Friday) and I love it.

[dramafreak13]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 1:41pm

k, i must admit this is the first song out of the show that i've heard, mostly because i had no desire to. but it was like techno music!! this is broadway we are talking about!

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 2:23am

Which song was it? A lot of it does sound techno. Broadway is changing. Get with the program! Was is Shakalaka Baby?

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 9:58am

oh god why did you say the 's' word. now i'll have 'shakalaka baby' stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 12:53pm

Shakalaka Baby, Shakalaka Baby, Shakalaka Baby, Shakalaka Baby.

[Coondiggitydogg]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 12:58pm

lets not forget such great lines as
"i should stay behind bars
so i can write my memoirs"
and
I'm a beast,
I should never ever be released."

HIGH QUALITY WRITING

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:16pm

I guess if you have no clue to Hindi pop music, then it would seem strange, but the score is a good stylistic representation of its setting. The "techno" hindi music is HUGELY popular in the East as well as the UK. I really liked Bombay Dreams when I saw it and I think most of the crticisms of the show are due to ingorance of Bollywood films, Hindi music, and more spiteful than intelligent. Bombay Dreams' book is criticized for being too simplistic, yet it is classically similar to many books of shows that are adored by audiences and critics as well as being faithful to the Bollywood films it represents.

And let us not forget that the London cast recording does not represent the Broadway show. The weakest songs were cut and replaced with stronger songs and most of the lyrics were changed. Broadway has a MUCH stronger score (as well as stronger voices) and deserves its own recording. The lyrics Coondiggitydog quoted are no longer in the show.

PS - If you truly hate a "techno" score, be sure to stay away from the London cast recording of Closer to Heaven. Now THAT was a truly dreadful show.

Updated On: 8/18/04 at 01:16 PM

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:22pm

i've never really cared for the music myself..the song Shakalaka Baby does make me giggle tho

[Coondiggitydogg]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:23pm

YAY

i heard it and wanted to DIE

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:24pm

Very well said, Mr. Matt.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:30pm

The first time I heard the Bombay Dreams CD, I hated many of the songs for the horrendous lyrics as well, but I was SOOOO GLAD I saw the Broadway production with the new score. I was absolutely enchanted from beginning to end. As a matter of fact, Don't Release Me was cut entirely from the show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:34pm

musicalfandukie - Shakalaka Baby is one of the most exciting musicals numbers I've seen performed on Broadway. Ayesha Dharker delivers a charming and memorable performance throughout the show.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 1:34pm

I am a huge fan of Bollywood films and such and I see nothing wrong with the music or the lyrics. If someone ACTUALLY took some time to learn about a show before insulting it (like they do with so many others that I think are not all that)

This is why many stories written about it were saying that the american public would not "get it" cause it was not "our culture".... well sometimes out culture is a little too "me me me" and now interested in experiencing things that are new.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 2:16pm

Also well said, BoxOfficeJon. This is now the Bombay Dreams appreciation thread. See, people. It's not a bad show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 4:00pm

On the contrary, Bombay Dreams is actually a good show. It's just underrated and dismissed for being unfamiliar or unintelligent.

[Janki]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 4:05pm

I loved it....loved it....I might be in the U.K tour!!! hehe,,,I wish...hehe

[Phantom05]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 11:16pm

Can't you just feel the POSITIVENESS in the room!!!

Later!

Phantom05

[Broadwaygirl4life]

Posted: 8/18/04 at 11:43pm

I love the music from bombay dreams. It is SOOO catchy, especially
Shakalaka Baby!!!

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 1:05am

The Journey Home is an outstanding song. I even like the Sarah Brightman version. Im a fan of hers though.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 1:56am

I havent seen the show, but I heard a few songs on a sampler CD. I think the music is cool. Its very different than what I have heard before and I like that.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 3:37am

I Shakalaka Baby all over my house all day everyday, I don't understand why people don't like this music. It's addictive. Plus I memorized the dance from Regis and Kelly... weeeeeee!

"Shakalaka Baby, Shakalaka Baby this is how it's really meant to be! Shakalaka Baby, Shakalaka Baby come and Shakalaka with me!"

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 9/9/04 at 4:32pm

Ok I had to put in my 2 cents. I was up for one of the leads for Bombay Dreams B'way and might have a more balanced opinion (despite not being cast).

So- overall, I didn't think it was anything amazing. HOWEVER, nor do I agree with the critics, who tore the show to pieces. For me, the exciting aspects of this show are the music and choreography. It's thrilling to hear the live percussionists that are installed on platforms on either side of the stage. And the dancers are so high energy that they really take you in. As annoying as I sometimes find Shakalaka Baby (by the way Shakalaka has no meaning; it's sort of the equivalent of a pop singer saying "mmm" or "bee bop") the stage number is THRILLING.

Having said that, I think the performances leave a lot to be desired. I saw very little acting going on, and what I did see was somewhat by-the-numbers. Priya is guilty of not acting at all, but merely standing dully and singing as if it were a recital.

The show is vastly different from London, and unfortunately loses a LOT in the B'way transfer. In London, you felt as if you were watching an actual Bollywood film, only live. There were scenes used to balance this- "real moment" scenes for lack of a better word. The book also allowed us to cheer for Akaash as he attempts his dreams. On B'way, frankly, I could've cared less if he succeeded. Not to mention lacks of transition! ****SPOILER****

Sweetie dies, and seconds later Akaash is singing The Journey Home, for no reason. That song marks a HUGE turning point in his life, and it was delivered as if all he was doing was deciding whether to wash his hair today or not.

I disagree with the posts saying that the critics didn't "get" the Bollywood culture, etc. I grew up with it, I completely GET it, but still I wasn't all that into it. I think the creative team didn't quite "get" how to celebrate it and mock it simultaneously. If it were more all-out extravaganza, with a truly moving story AND self-mockery, it would feel more complete. I think a lot of this falls on Meera Syal, who wrote the (horrendous) book. The in-jokes and wink-wink self-effacement are seriously lame.

Overall, I think most people would come out having been entertained. It's colourful, the lighting is gorgeous, the dancing top-notch, and the live music HOT. So if you're ok with pure schlock, then this might be for you. I think many people who haven't been exposed to this music before will find themselves dying to get out of their seat and dance.

[zoran912]

Posted: 9/9/04 at 6:26pm

I loved the London production. I have yet to see it on Broadway. I doubt that I will.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/9/04 at 7:18pm

I am a HUGE fan of BOMBAY DREAMS (London Version). It was seriously like watching a gorgeous/fun movie on a big screen. It was just fun all around. And techno music, bad? Well, then let me give back my TABOO recording (NEVER I say, NEVER).