Photo Flash: First Look- THE RAJAH'S SON & PRINCESS LABAM
By: Sally Henry Fuller Nov. 08, 2014
The Off-Broadway play 'The Rajah's Son & Princess Labam' opened on November 7, 2014 to a full house with audience members coming from far and wide - even flying in from Dubai. One of the producers of the show, Mr. Ranjeet Bhatia, flew in on Friday from Dubai itself to attend the Opening Night performance. BroadwayWorld brings photos of the show below!
Written, directed and produced by Ms. Nishi Rajan, the 'Rajah's Son & Princess Labam' is part comedy and part drama, a fairytale love story set in Ancient India in a time of Rajahs, Ranis and Hindu Gods. An original work written by Ms. Rajan, the cast consists of over 25 talented adult and child actors who have been working for three months to put on this production.
Ms. Rajan, it has been revealed, suffered a knee injury during the course of the production but has continued to act, direct and produce so that the production would go up in November as scheduled. The results have been incredible.Audience members on Opening Night were delighted by the satire, the comedy, the music and dance segments.
The cast consists of Hemang Sharma, an Indian actor from Minnesota who plays the title role of the Rajah's Son, Prince Kiran; writer, director Nishi Rajan who co-stars in the title role of Princess Labam and who also plays the saucy and feisty old woman 'Mata-Ji'; writer and actor Frank Raharinosy who plays the Prince's adopted brother, a rakish casanova named Lord Anuj; and Laurel Andersen, the personable and supremely funny Narrator who double-duties as both actress and comedic host.
Talented entertainer Indio Davila takes on the role of King Suresh and infuses Indian parental comedy in every scene while veteran actor Kathleen Morgo brings fire and power as the spitfire Queen Janya. Young actors Noa Carmel and Saim Hyder play the Hindu Gods Durga and Dharmendra. Ms. Carmel's powerhouse vocals in the tragic character of Durga bring audiences to tears. Mr. Hyder's dramatic portrayal of Dharmendra is riveting.
Vaishali Chaudhuri, an Indian classical dance instructor of Bharatanatyam instructed the cast in this ancient style of dance while Alex Kabiri, a 4th-degree black-belt in Zujitsu taught the cast stage combat and fight chorepgraphy.
The cast is rounded out by the talented work of child actors Swayam Ranjeet Bhatia who plays little Princess Lola and Young Princess Labam, by Elliot Nieva and Liam Collins who play the young Prince Kiran and young Lord Anuj.
Adult actors bring full force and strength: Anna Bredikhina as the strong female voice of Madhu, Brinda Dixit, a talented Bharatanatyam dancer and actress who brings Rathina to life, Lydia Kalmen and Francsco Pireddu, talented ballet dancers, who also portray Fakirs Rowena and King Sabal. Actors and singers Cristina Contrearas and Alan Gonzalez are a comedic duo whose antics as the Magical Carpet bring laughter and joy to every scene.
The works of actors Jeremiah Jurkiewicz as Gurdayal, Zach de'Epey as Jeevan, Sneha Raja as Valli and Cassidy, Olivia Roldan as Princess Leela, Anna Paone as Princess Lubna, Stephanie Chaicken as the Whispering Tree and, Ella and Fiona Shea as Princess Labam's younger sisters Princesses Layla and Lila round out this outstanding ensemble cast.
The scenery constructed by John P. McEvoy and beautifully painted by Denise Karapetis-Bogeas of Alpha Decor & painting Corporation - is simple and functional, allowing for the story and the actors to shine as the true stars of the show.
'The Rajah's Son & Princess Labam' performs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm at the Medicine Show Theatre located at 549 West 52nd Street, 3rd Fl., New York City, New York. Doors open at 7:30. Remaining shows are November 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 cash only at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-rajahs-son-princess-labam-by-nishi-rajan-tickets-13692096429
Web: http://www.RajahsSonandPrincessLabam.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/RajahsSonandPrincessLabam Twitter #PrincessLabam - http://twitter.com/nishihime
Photo credit: Nishi Rajan
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