"Yoni Ki Baat" : Rasaka Theatre Company

Rasaka Theatre Company and
Premiere Theatre and Performance Present
"Yoni Ki Baat," the ‘South Asian/Desi Vagina Monologues'

 

Rasaka Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of "Yoni Ki Baat", a funny, heartfelt and thought-provoking monologue cycle, 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 diasporic culture. Like a chain letter passed through the theatrical community, "Yoni Ki Baat" features contributions from female writers across the country, including six new monologues by local writers, including ensemble members Anita Chandwaney (finalist, Chicago Dramatists' Many Voices Project) and Mary Anne Mohanraj (author of Silence and the Word and several erotic novels), plus choreography by Alka Nayyar (Jeff nominated for her work on "The Masrayana"). Presented in association with Premiere Theatre and Performance.

"Rasaka's ‘Yoni Ki Baat' will feature the some of most talented South Asian actresses in Chicago," said Rasaka Artistic Director and show director Lavina Jadhwani. "These women have been seen around the city, but never side by side; and this production provides a platform for an electric group of performers to explore a very worthy topic." The show runs about 75 minutes with no intermission. 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

"Yoni Ki Baat" Launch Party at T's Bar (5025 N. Clark St., Chicago) on Monday, December 1, 2008, 8 p.m.-12 midnight. NO COVER for food, drink, and the opportunity to meet the cast and learn more about the show. Call 312-777-1070 for details.

Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60613
Red Line Sheridan stop; 36-Broadway and 80-Irving Park buses
$6 honor parking at Greeley School, 832 W. Sheridan, weekends after 5 p.m.

Opens Sunday, January 4, 2009, at 7 p.m. (reception following)
Runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m.
Closes February 1, 2009 • Previews on January 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.
Added industry show on Monday, January 12 at 8 p.m.

Call 312-777-1070 for tickets, or www.strawdog.org
$20 for regular tickets
$10 for previews, and for students and seniors (with ID)
$5 industry tickets available on January 2, 3 and 12

Rasaka ensemble members Anita Chandwaney and Mary Anne Mohanraj, with guest writers Rajani Adhikary, Roksana Badruddoja, Devi Bhaduri, Ky Dickens, Nisha Gurbuxani, Sheba Karim, Angeli Primlani, Sarita Sarvate, and Shruti S. Tewari.

Rasaka ensemble members Lavina Jadhwani (Director/Curator) and Alka Nayyar (Choreographer), with guest artists Jen Poulin (Stage Manager), Angeli Primlani (Costume Coordinator), Christine Ferriter (Lighting Design), and Joe Court (Sound Design).

Rasaka ensemble members Anita Chandwaney and Fawzia Mirza, with guest artists Minita Gandhi and Mouzam Makkar.

Rasaka Theatre Company is based in Chicago and is the Midwest's first South Asian-American ensemble, wanting to increase diversity among artists and audience by engaging and illuminating the South Asian American experience. Rasaka is particularly dedicated to providing a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists, encompassing the production of theatrical projects - newly created, adapted and already established. Rasaka aims to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre going audience thereby enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation of Chicago theatre.

 

Rasaka Theatre Company, 312-777-1070; www.rasakatheatre.org
Premiere Theatre and Performance, 773-250-7055, www.ptapchicago.org

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