YONI KI BAAT – Back for more in 2010!
“A worthwhile endeavor…charm, wit and raw emotion.” -Chicago Tribune
“The cast is highly enjoyable…Director Jadhwani keeps the evening brisk and fun to watch.” – TimeOut Chicago
Highly Recommended! – Chicago Reader
“Woven together with great honesty and sensitivity…stirring and illuminating.” – Steadstyle Chicago
“The performances given by the cast are warm, earthy, and accessible and provide an immediate, genuine connection with the audience.” – Chicago Theatre Blog
Produced in association with Premiere Theatre & Performance
DATES: January 7 – 31, 2010
| PERFORMANCE |
DATES/TIMES |
| Previews: |
Thu. & Fri. |
Jan 7 & 8 |
8:00 PM |
| Opens: |
Sat. |
Jan 9 |
8:00 PM |
| Runs: |
Thu., Fri., Sat., Sun |
. |
8:00 PM |
| Runs: |
Sun. |
. |
4:00 PM |
| Closes |
Sun. |
Jan 31 |
8:00 PM |
PRICING
Ticket prices are $15-$20
$15 for all previews (January 7 & 8)
$20 Regular Tickets
$15 Students / Seniors / Industry (Thursdays & Sundays only)
Rasaka presents an updated version of their 2009 hit Yoni Ki Baat, including new work from Chicago authors performed for the first time in 2010. A funny, heartfelt, and thought-provoking monologue cycle, the production is loosely inspired by Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. By combining spoken word, music and dance, Rasaka presents an exploration of female sexuality, seen through the lens of desi women. Like a chain letter passed through the theatrical community, Yoni Ki Baat features contributions from writers across the country, combining to create one compelling evening of theatre.
CAST
- Amanda Bobbitt
- Amrita Dhaliwal
- Seema Kumbhat
- Mouzam Makkar
- Alka Nayyar*
LOCAL WRITERS:
- Anita Chandwaney*
- Angeli Primlani
- Pushkar Sharma
- Prachi Murarka
- Kit Idaszak
ADDITIONAL WRITERS:
- Myriam Rahman
- Shruti S. Tewari
- Maulie Dass
- Indira Chakrabarti
- Nisha Gurbuxani
CREW
- Artistic Director – Lavina Jadhwani*
- Managing Director – Kamal Hans*
- Assistant Director/Dramaturg – Vincent P. Mahler
- Production Stage Manager – Kathy Mountz
- Set Designer/Technical Director – Matt Buettner
- Costumes/Props – Angeli Primlani*
- Lighting Designer – Gary Echelmeyer
- Sound Designer – Joe Court
- PR Coordinator – Christopher Pazdernik
- Marketing Coordinator – Amrita Dhaliwal
- Graphic Designer – Vincent Malouf
* – indicates Rasaka Ensemble member
PRESS CONTACT, Christopher Pazdernik. Please email any inquiries to PR@RasakaTheatre.org.
A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Apna Ghar (“Our Home”), a domestic violence shelter serving Asian women and children – www.apnaghar.org
More info...
The final chapter in Rasaka’s original one-act playwriting festival.
Presented August 15 – September 6, 2009
Centerstage Chicago: 1 of only 18 shows named to “Must See” list
“culture/clash manages to evoke worlds both brutal and endearing, comical and absurd”
Monica Westin (New City):
“charming series of one-acts about the South Asian diaspora that deftly overcomes stereotypes of victimization and the American dream …”
“…consistently energetic, and it’s technically polished with smart musical transitions…”
Rasaka Theatre Company presented “culture/clash: three plays about the South Asian Diaspora,” a trio of world premieres penned by South Asian playwrights.
*culture/clash was produced through a generous grant from the Kiran Bavikatte Memorial Foundation
More info...
Rasaka Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of
Rasaka’s 2009 Hit – Yoni Ki Baat
Kerry Reid, The Reader (Recommended):
“Yoni Ki Baat brings together a range of writers, assuring that nearly each piece has a refreshing specificity and distinct tone.”
Venus Zarris, Chicago Stage Review 3 ½ STARS, (Highly Recommended):
“Director/Curator Lavina Jadhwani assembles a remarkably gifted cast to deliver the cleverly collected anecdotes.”
“…intimate evening of cultural insight, candid exposition and exceptional performance.”
“…it is revolutionary to hear the voices of these uncompromising writers delivered by this unapologetic and outstanding ensemble.”
Anne Pulley, Centerstage Show Review – Chicago Sun-Times online city guide (Recommended):
“‘Yoni Ki Baat’ is a spirited and consuming production with some Margaret Cho-esque raunch thrown in for taste.”
“Yoni” pays critical attention to the voices that go painfully unheard and to the quiet abuses that come from familial obligation or bodily embarrassment. “
““Yoni Ki Baat” hits the (G) spot.”
Jack Hafferkamp, The EDGE, (Highly Recommended):
“…this collection of very personal tales from Desi women is by turns funny, a little uncomfortable, touching, sexy and always riveting.”
“My hat is doffed to all involved for creating a transporting experience on no budget.”
Tom Williams, ChicagoCritic.com, (Recommended):
“What impressed me most about this production was the outstanding talent of the four performers. You’d be hard press to find a more articulate cast all of which landed their monologues with a fine mixture of humor, angst, and honest sincerity.”
“This show, while it speaks directly to women, has enough heart and honesty with generous self deprecating humor to be engaging to men.”
“This surely is a fine, well acted ‘girl’s-night-out’ show that has enough humor and heart to appeal to men also. Anyone who witnesses Yon Ki Baat will be entertained and they’ll learn to respect the vigorousness of South Asian women.”
January 2-February 1, 2009
More info...
World Premiere of two short plays:
Two Sides of Suicide
Written by Gitanjali Kapila
Directed by Lavina Jadhwani
Produced by Manish Shah
Featuring: Fawzia Mirza and Danny Bernardo
Terror Act
Written by Cassandra Lewis
Directed by Lavina Jadhwani
Produced by Manish Shah
Featuring: Anita Chandwaney and Andy Nagraj
Remy Bumppo:
March 6-30
Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
More info...
Written by Haneif Kureishi
Directed by Gitanjali Kapila
Wednesday, March 19 at 7:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center
The Studio Theatre
77 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
$5 suggested donation
More info...
Yoni Ki Baat --- back for more...
© 2009 Jonathan L. Green
