Production Details

Tea with Chachaji


Book and Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins
Music by Denver Casado
Based on the book, “Chachaji’s Cup,” by Uma Krishnaswami
With illustrations by Soumya Sitaraman
Published 2004 by Children’s Book Press

January 25 – February 11 in New York City
February 28 at Stanford Lively Arts, CA

Tickets for school-day performances only $7
Tickets for evening and weekend performances only $16 (NYC)

Buy Tickets: evening and weekend performances
Buy Tickets: school-day performances

In Tea with Chachaji, traditional folklore and Bollywood flavor help tell the story of an Indian-American boy and his family’s history.

Chachaji, the great-uncle of 12-year-old Neel, sips masala chai while entertaining his nephew and his Indian-born mother with wonderful tales. The greatest story of all is found in Chachaji’s teacup. This precious heirloom migrated with young Chachaji and his mother during the Partition of 1947. As they walked from newly formed Pakistan to India,she swore to her son, “If this cup can cross the border without breaking, then we can cross the border without breaking.”

As Neel grows older and busier, so grows the distance between Indian traditions and American life.  After accidentally breaking Chachaji’s cup, the teen must repair this symbol of survival and his relationship with his great-uncle.In doing so, he learns the value of his family and heritage.

Best for ages 8+

Tea with Chachaji

Book and Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins
Music by Denver Casado
Based on the book, “Chachaji’s Cup,” by Uma Krishnaswami
With illustrations by Soumya Sitaraman
Published 2004 by Children’s Book Press

Tea with Chachaji was originally commissioned by Making Books Sing, Inc.
World Premiere New York City, January 2010


Directed and Choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Music Direction by Tim Rosser

Featuring:
Raja Burrows*   Stephanie Klemons*   Tony Mirrcandani  
Soneela Nankani   José A. Sepulveda

Elis Arroyo*   Production Stage Manager
B.D.White  Production Manager
Cory Einbinder  Set Designer/ Media Consultant
Douglas Cox  Lighting Designer
Leslie Bernstein  Costume Designer
William Grady  Sound Designer
Sarah Bird  Prop Designer 

*Members of Actors Equity Association

Performance Schedule

Buy Tickets: evening and weekend performances
Buy Tickets: school-day performances

The Bronx
Lehman Stages at Lehman College
Monday,Jan. 25 – Thursday, Jan. 28
10:30am

Manhattan
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Saturday,Jan. 30 – Thursday, Feb. 3, 2010
1pm and 4pm Weekends
10am and Noon Weekdays

Special Weeknight Performance
Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 7pm

Brooklyn
Goldstein Performing Arts Center
Kingborough Community College
Monday,Feb. 8 – Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010
10:30am

Stanford, CA
Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Stanford Lively Arts
Feb. 28, 2010

Learn about Related Education Programs