Chandwaney Joins Cast Of INSTANT RECALL At Culture/Clash; Runs 8/13 Thru 9/6

Chicago audiences will now have the unique opportunity to witness an author appearing on stage in her own dramatic work. Playwright Anita Chandwaney will now appear in her play, "Instant Recall," for the first three weeks of the run, August 13-30. Actress Minita Gandhi will take over for the final weekend. "Instant Recall" is one of three one-act plays in the World Premiere of "culture/clash."
The axiom of art imitating life will come alive with the World Premiere of "culture/clash: three plays about the South Asian Diaspora" on August 15 in Chicago. Three South Asian playwrights have used their own personal experiences as inspiration for plays examining cultural confrontations, all including descendents of South Asian countries.

"I've been clashing with my culture all my life," relates "Midnite's Vultures" playwright Pushkar Sharma. "Being a playwright demands you are hyper-aware of your surroundings, your experiences, and your internal dialogue. My play blends my personal explorations with those I've heard from my friends and family. These thoughts are channeled into a conversation between two poets and their analysis of their identity as Indian-Americans. The characters explore their roots as well as what it means to be an Indian in America. The play is about finding your identity and voice-a process that I've gone through in writing this play-and finding someone to share that voice with."

Angeli Primlani, an international journalist as well as author, also based a play on her own life's history.

"‘Night Shift' is very much an autobiographical piece based on a real event that took place in my family's motel in the tobacco country coastal plain of North Carolina between myself and an older woman," says Primlani. "We were the only motel owners on the highway not named Patel. The older woman, Diana, is based on a friend whom I have since lost touch with. I suppose, like Jamal in ‘Slumdog Millionaire', I have this wistful hope that she hears about this play somehow and contacts me."

First generation American and director Lavina Jadhwani brings her own experiences to the staging of the three plays, which also includes "Instant Recall" by Anita Chandwaney.

"What I love about each of the ‘culture/clash' plays is that they feature a South Asian protagonist interacting with a non-South Asian culture," describes Jadhwani. "It resonates with me because that's how we see people interact, especially in cultures that have experienced diasporas: one group's traditions and values mingle and mix with another's, ultimately leading to cross-cultural understanding and social change. That process, familiar to me, is reflected in each of these pieces."

Continuing the spirit of the playwrights, the opening night of "culture/clash" will also include a celebration of India's Independence Day, also August 15, featuring traditional Indian cuisine.

At the 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.

Previews August 13 & 14, 8 P.M. Opens Saturday, August 15, 8 P.M. (reception following). Runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 P.M., and Sundays at 3 P.M. Closes September 6, 2009. Performance Time is approx. 75 minutes.

$20 for regular tickets. $12 for previews August 13 & 14. $12 Student/Senior/Industry (Thurs & Sun only). www.strawdog.org with credit cards -or- cash/check/credit card at the door.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.