MAD successfully launched its first production – Sakharam Binder at National Comedy Theatre in New York City on June 30th 2013. The show had a strong opening with 100% turnover making it a houseful. After the success of the first show, MAD is now getting ready for its next two performances on July7 & July14.
M.A.D – which stands for Making A Difference is a brainchild of Ashok Chaudhary, Dipanjan Chatterjee and Samir Lal, who had a vision to present works of South Asian Playwrights to New York by showcasing the rich, classic and contemporary literature through thought-provoking performances & nurturing international artists by blending art across different cultures.
The Play “Sakharam Binder“ was written by Mr. Vijay Tendulkar
It was first performed in 1972 and subsequently banned in India in 1974. Set in a small Indian village, the play centers on the household of a single man: Sakharam Binder. Binder offers shelter to abandoned and outcast women. This seemingly grand act of generosity comes with the burden of imposed household rules that either the women can endure or choose to return to the hunger, brutality and certain death of the streets.
Drawn with cruel, yet honest clarity, the play explores the dynamics of gender, faith, love and power in a wholly, unexpected way. Transcending stereotypes and expectation, Tendulkar’s text successfully reaches beyond the perceived thematic limitations of a specific culture and utterly captures the complexity of humanity on a universal scale.
(Mr.Tendulkar was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator. His plays deal with agonies, anxieties and tensions of the urban, white-collar middle class people.)
MAD started its casting in Jan 2013 and over 100 actors were auditioned over a period of two days and finally 5 were selected.
After rehearsing for over 4 weeks, MAD launched with Sakharam Binder.
The lead – Sakharam Binder is played by Ashok Chaudhary who was a partner at MAD Playhouse and has done many independent movies in the US and India. Graduated from prestigious acting schools – FTII Pune and Stella Adler in NYC.
Champa – played by Carolina Lelis. Born and raised in Brazil. She is also working on an upcoming musical project in NYC.
Laxmi – played by Marissa Wolf. Marissa’s credits include Wait Until Dark (Suzy Hendrix), The Crucible (Elizabeth Proctor), Macbeth (Lady MacDuff), Hamlet (Gertrude), Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), The Cherry Orchard (Varya), Blithe Spirit (Ruth), Fiddler On the Roof (Chava), A Little Night Music (Charlotte).
Shinde – played by Glenn. A Wolther. Mr. Wolther has appeared in several student and low budget films in a variety of roles. He has a degree in literature from Boston University and is a civil rights attorney in New York City.
Dawood – played by Bertlee Garced is an Actor/Rapper from the Jersey Shore. His music can be heard at reverbnation.com/bertlz.
Sakharam Binder is adapted by Shane Killoran.Shane sits on the Literary Committee for the Private Theatre and is working on The Shriver Project (working title) as a Co-Creator and Dramaturg also through The Private Theatre and Intersections International.
Direction Directed by Miriam Ibrahim, who started directing films in 2008 ‘Playroom’, ‘Fear’, ‘Der Kluge Hase’, ‘Sterntaler’, ‘peace/Piece of mine’. In addition to her work as an actress and director she also teaches (BINI e.V. Germany, Backstage Hamburg, Geminin Trust Ethiopia).
Sound design by Kwan-Fai Lam, he is a winner of International Composition Competition of Hsu Tsang-houei Prize – 3rd prize and 2nd place for the Asian Composer League – Young Composer Award. After graduating from Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Kwan was awarded full scholarship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund to complete the Master of Fine Arts in the Composition Program at California Institute of the Arts.
Light design by : Kire Tosevski, he taught at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and has previously acted in several stage productions throughout New South Wales. Kire’s Select New York theatre acting credits: When Greenland Melted… The Robot Rose (ICBINS), Dracula: Forever Is A Long Time To Live (Ensemble for the Romantic Century), The Jungle Book (Theatre East), Anna Akhmatova: The Heart Is Not Made Of Stone (Ensemble for the Romantic Century), The Ventriloquist Circle (Sister Sylvester), The Championship Season; Escape From Happiness; Some Girls; and Clytemnestra (Stella Adler Studio of Acting). Select Sydney theatre acting credits: Blood Wedding (Genesian Theatre), Twelfth Night (Peninsula Theatre Company) and Cabaret (The Regals Musical Society). Kire is also a director, having previously directed feature-length plays La Ronde, Danny and the deep blue sea, Creditors, and The 39 Steps.
MAD wants to promote a culture of environmental and social responsibility. It is a member of NYC City Park’s green initiatives for tree planting activities. It sponsored Isha Vidhya Walk-a-thon to raise fund and awareness for children’s education in rural India. It also allows ticket buyers to donate part of their tickets to either support an art cause in NYC or fund education of rural kids in India. Ticket buyers select such option on check out and MAD matches 15% of their contribution. MAD also pledges to give away 5% of earned profit to NYC Free Clinic.
For more information please reach out at contact [AT] madplayhouse [DOT] com
Show: June 30 | July 7 | July 14 – 2013 @ 7.30pm
Location: 347 W. 36th St , New York, NY 10020 (between 8th and 9th Ave)
Language: The Play will be in English
Age Limit: 18+
BROCHURE
