Merchants of Bollywood Plays Memorial Auditorium 10/21

After its triumph in Asia and Europe, including 16 sold-out performances in London, the international hit, "The Merchants of Bollywood" is making its way to North America with a performance at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.

An international musical dance spectacular, "The Merchants of Bollywood," charts the history of the world's largest and most prolific film industry and a dynasty of stars that have lit the industry's path over generations. The dancers' energy, with bangles, beads and swirling colorful costumes, is a frenetic flow of onstage activity meant to excite the senses with lavish, bold musical production numbers that feature all the smash hit songs from the biggest Bollywood blockbusters throughout its cinematic history.

"The Merchants of Bollywood" will reveal to North American audiences how cinema resides in the heart and soul of Indian society in an evening of music and dance at the heart of which lies a story of a young girl, her grandfather and their love of dance.

Written and directed by Toby Gough, "The Merchants of Bollywood" is loosely based on the real-life story of the Merchant family dynasty, whose members have been prominent choreographers and filmmakers since the beginning of the Hindi film industry in the 1920s. The production features choreography by the internationally renowned Vaibhavi Merchant, who is regarded as Bollywood's top choreographer today, and is set to music by Salim-Sulaiman.

"The Merchants of Bollywood" has been seen by more than 2 million people worldwide. The original production was developed in Mumbai, India, with 50 performers, 500 lavish costumes and 3,000 pieces of glittering jewelry. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at www.broadwayseriessouth.com