Desipina & Company’s Seven.11 Convenience Theatre (2009) is a series of seven
Desipina & Company’s Seven.11 Convenience Theatre (2009) is a series of seven 11-minute plays set in the American convenience store, a dominant American consumer presence from coast to coast and the ideal symbol for the mini-productions which challenge and redefine existing stereotypes of immigrant convenience store employees while exploring the diversity of South Asian and Asian Pacific American cultural experiences.
The popular Seven.11 series has decided to close its doors permanently after the previous six years of successful sold out runs at the Tenement Theatre, the Kraine Theatre, the Abrons Center and Shephard Theatre.
With this final year – Desipina is combining the old and the new. Rehana Mirza, Artistic Director states, “We spent 6 wonderful years with many talented writers, actors, directors and this final year is a celebration of all our accomplishments.” Desipina is showcasing some of its favorite plays over the years which also will be performed by some of the best of our alumni actors. (Above is Cindy Cheung)
“Seven.11 represents some of the edgiest, funniest, most forward-looking and culturally on-the-beat off-Broadway theater I have experienced,” states Nusrat Durrani, MTV World, Senior Vice President and General Manager. “The themes, writing and acting, as well as the passion and inventiveness of the skits sparkle, but it’s the audacity of the entire enterprise that blows you away. Over the years Seven.11 has been a metaphor for the provocative and ever-evolving nature of New York City, its mad/passionate citizenry and its bittersweet but always enthralling daily drama. As its final few performances are staged I cannot help but think these Seven.11 plays are symbolic of the clamor, collision, heartache and humor of the global times we now live in.”
Desipina & Company deftly employs this Eastern dramatic construct to explore immigration and assimilation through the production of Seven.11 Convenience Theatre (2009). This year’s cast include the familiar faces of Andrew Guilarte, Kavi Ladnier, Cindy Cheung and Sam Ghosh while also adding to the Desipina family – Tim Cain, Jay Lee and Christopher Larkin.
The seven plays for this year’s production are:
Soonderella by Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri
A new pop musical involving a fairy tale of a different colour.
Color Me Desi by Rishi Chowdhary
A liquor-run to the convenience store before the big desi party uncovers that there are more shades of brown than there are colors to Holi.
One Dollar Box by Eugene Oh
A provocative tribute about anybody’s father, anybody’s son and the desperate measures that arise when life boxes you in. Working man, work it man.
A Very Desi Christmas by Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri
An original pop musical that illuminates the true meaning of rice.
Closing Up Shop by Carla Ching
A look at what happens when it’s time to move on to the next generation.
What’s in Store by Rehana Mirza
A run-in at the convenience store leaves its manager with the keys to closing up.
Raj Against the Machine by Vishakan Jeyakumar
A Sri Lankan immigrant questions his life in the convenience store, with his best customer by his side.
This year’s production also features a vibrant Bollywood closing number choreographed by Sandhya Jain (www.sandhyajain.com) – a professional Bollywood dancer working as a consultant in Indian art, fashion and culture.
Only for 10 Performances
Opening Night Wednesday, June 17, 2009
At Center Stage
48 W. 21st Street, 4th Floor, NYC
June 17, 2009 – June 28, 2009
Wednesday to Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm
$18 General Tickets
For reservations www.DesiClub.com
Additional information at www.desipina.org, 212-564-8666