Rentboy & Bombay Dreams

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:51am

(((RENTBOY & BOMBAY DREAMS)))

When you first enter the theater they have Indian musica videos playing on 3 different screens. Its very exciting. The set is very cool. On either side of the stage they have the percussion elevated. They also have a false proscenium and the legs of the wings painted in a bright orange color. I thought it was interesting how they used actual stage hands to move the set pieces on and off. It made sense with the style of the show because its as if we're on the backlot of an actual bollywood picture. Did they do this on Broadway too? Or in London? or did the set pieces move on and off in tracks?

Overall, I'd say the show was enjoyable. I had a good time. It took me a while to understand the style of story telling. I didn't really realize until the end that it was done like an actual Bollywood movie so things were exaggerated and cheesy for a reason. It seemed like half the audience did not expect Sweetie to be a guy. I didn't even realize it was a guy. Can someone explain to me the significance of Sweetie being a "ladyboy"? Is this a tradition in India? I'm not bashing him at all, I actually think he was the strongest performer out of all the leads.

As for performances, I thought the main Pyria and Akaash weren't that great. Akaash had an okay voice, and his acting was decent, but sometimes hard to hear. But overall, I'd say he was fairly strong. Pyria's acting was great. I thought she was a great actress but her voice didn't seem suited for this kind of music. She had some great moments, like her falsetto endings on "is this love" and "hero" were great. I think Sweetie was the best. He had great comedic timing and had a great singing voice. I could actually understand everything he was saying.

The only things I did not like about this show were some of the changes to the score. I really liked the OLC and I sorta went into this expecting to hear some of those songs. However, most of them were either cut or modified. I didn't like how they changed "Are you sure you want to be famous?" to a song for Kitty called "famous." It worked in the scene, but I much preferred the one on the recording. I also didn't like how they got rid of the song " I could live here " - its so simply, but i love it. I also didnt like the positioning of the songs. I just think it worked better on the OLC.

A quick question for those of you who have seen it, but did anyone else think they skipped over "don't release me" & "hero reprise" - I didnt feel like I ever heard those songs. Are they just really quick or what? Like, i was waiting to hear the beat of 'Dont release me' - but then Akaash starting singing "The Journey home." Hmm?

In conclusion, go see it. Let me know what you think. I really enjoyed it, and its still sorta sinking in. I wanna know what the Indian community thinks of the show. Do they think it fully represented them well? Just wondering.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 3:07am

tnks so much for the amazing review...i don't think there are a lot of Indians on this board though.