Making Books Sing, the New York-based company dedicated to turning books for young readers into musical works for the stage, will present the world premiere of the new family musical Tea With Chachaji.

Read the TDF article with the creators.

 Based on the award-winning book "Chachaji's Cup" by Uma Krishnaswami,the show is a world-premiere musical that features the history and culture of India.

Indian-born Chachaji, Neel's Great Uncle, sips chai as he entertains his great nephew with captivating Hindu stories and exciting Bollywood movies. The greatest story of all, and the most difficult to share, is found in Chachaji's teacup. This precious heirloom migrated with young Chachaji and his mother from Pakistan to India after the Partition of 1947.

As Neel grows older and busier, so grows the distance between his American life and Indian traditions. In one careless moment, the teen shatters the teacup and his uncle's heart. As he repairs the broken pieces of both, Neel comes to understand the true value of family heritage.

Book and lyrics by Gwynne Watkins.
Music by Denver Casado.
Score  under the musical direction of Tim Rosser - will be performed on keyboard, as well as sitar and tabla.
Directed and choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj features traditional Indian dance, as well as, Bollywood style dance.

Cast: Raja Burrows, Tony Mirrcandani, Stephanie Klemons, Jose Sepulveda, and Soneela Nankani.

Design team:

Cory Einbinder (Set Design), Bill Grady (Sound Design), Doug Cox (Lighting Design), and Leslie Bernstein (Costume Design).

Performances at the following venues:

THE BRONX - January 25 - January 28 at 10:30am
Lovinger Theatre @ Lehman College - 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West - Bronx, NY

MANHATTAN - January 30 & January 31 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm; February 1 - 3 at 10:00am and 12:00pm; & February 3 at 7:00pm. BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center - 199 Chambers Street (between Greenwich and West Streets) New York, NY

BROOKLYN - February 8 - 11 at 10:30am
Goldstein Theatre @ Kingsborough Community College - 2001 Oriental Blvd. - Brooklyn, NY