Listen 57 min MORE “Picking tea is literal hands-on labor,” says Charlene Wang, as she explains how colonialism still affects the market for it. Photo by Charlene Wang.
Sri Rao brings his book about Indian cuisine and film to the stage as he presents “Bollywood Kitchen” at the Geffen Playhouse. Mashama Bailey and John Morisano opened The Grey in Savannah, Georgia, and in their new book, they tackle race, gender, class, and culture while building their business and friendship. Charlene Wang reports on the lingering issues of colonialism in the world of tea. Bill Esparza examines the popularity of birria, from Tijuana to Canada. Cauliflower is in season at the farmer’s market. Finally, Monica May describes how the diverse downtown LA community saved her Nickel Diner during the pandemic.
Listen 7 min MORE Sri Rao s parents immigrated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from India. Watching Bollywood movies transported him back home. Photo courtesy of Sri Rao.
In his book “
Bollywood Kitchen,” Sri Rao tells the story of his family immigrating to suburban Pennsylvania, their assimilation, and the role that Bollywood films played in his life, tying him back to home. A new stage version of the book is part of the
Geffen Playhouse series, which includes a cookalong with Sri as he weaves his story around chicken curry and basmati rice.
Sri Rao adapted his book, “Bollywood Kitchen,” to the stage for a cookalong event and virtual show at the Geffen Playhouse, running through March 6. Photo by Kyle Rosenberg.
Bollywood Kitchen, Where the Script Is Also a Recipe Vulture.com 1/28/2021 Helen Shaw
For the past many months, theaters have been scrambling to figure out what works for their audiences online. Is it filmed drama performed to empty seats? Zoom readings? Radio plays? The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles has chosen to switch lanes from a conventional theater dedicated to new plays and classics to a kind of neo–variety house: Its current lineup has a participatory whodunit, a deal-yourself-in magic show, and
Bollywood Kitchen, a cook-along dinner-theater experience. Venues have been programming immersive light entertainment forever
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding dates back to 1988, and guys with cards up their sleeves have been doing close-up sleight of hand since the pharaohs but this sort of boulevard repertoire has gained significant cachet during the pandemic. Thanks to our hunger for connection, we’re paying closer attention to the stuff that takes �
Sri Rao in
Bollywood Kitchen Kyle Rosenberg
Cooking and theatre are a natural pair. Whether itâs a flip of a pan, the flash of fire, or the fast-talking chef behind it all, theatricality is just par for the course (pun intended).
So when Geffen Playhouse found Sri Rao, a filmmaker and cookbook author of
Bollywood Kitchen, they knew a partnership had to be forged. Now, the digital theatrical experience is running as part of Geffen Stayhouse, the Los Angeles theatreâs virtual programming created in the middle of a pandemic.
Led by Rao, the show invites audiences to partake in a culinary journey from India to America as he (and ticketholders) cook dishes like chicken curry, Bollywood popcorn, and a chocolate chai affogato. Opening January 23, the show has been extended through March 6.