Moonshine & SkyToffee August 28, 2009

This weekend, Blue Mango, Pittsburgh’s first multi-ethnic theatre group, debuts its first production, Moonshine and Skytoffee.

Blue Mango was conceived and recently founded by a diverse group of theatre-lovers from around the world. The company’s goals are twofold—to expose the Pittsburgh region to international plays that are not typically performed here and to cast each production with the creative and inclusive philosophy of being experimental, non-traditional, and ‘color-blind.’

The 15-member theatre group was created with the intention of making Pittsburgh’s rich theatrical scene accessible and available to all of its diverse performers. By using international scripts and promoting ‘color-blind’ casting, Blue Mango hopes to bring a more adequate representation of Pittsburgh’s ethnic diversity to the city’s stages.

Blue Mango’s first production, Moonshine and Skytoffee, will be staged at the New Hazlett Theater on August 28, 29, and 30, 2009. The play is a delightful, romantic comedy, set during the 1940s in southern India. Moonshine and Skytoffee is based on two quirky, funny, and adorable love stories by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. This theatrical adaptation by Rajiv Krishnan originally ran for more than 200 sold-out shows across India.

While the first story deals with the affection of the young and hard-working Kesavan Nayar for his landlord’s unemployed daughter, Saramma; the second story explores the courtship of teashop owner, Zainaba, by the lovable pickpocket, Mandan Muthapa. Watching and commenting on it all is the unforgettable character of Ottakannan Pokker, Zainaba’s one-eyed, “card-sharping” father. Both stories play themselves out with unexpected twists and turns, while constantly laced with sparkling wit and irrepressible humor.

Moonshine and Skytoffee stars Sam Nicotero (as Otakkannan Pokker), Christopher Cussat (as Kesavan Nayar), Jackie Omotalade (as Zainaba), Monica Jogi (as Saramma), and Arvind Suresh (as Mandan Muthapa). Directed by Krishnan, this pilot production of Blue Mango features these five actors from three different ethnic groups.

This coming spring, Blue Mango will also be offering free acting workshops to support and encourage aspiring actors from all backgrounds. These classes will be conducted by experienced performers and trained faculty to impart basic dramatic skills. Everyone, especially those without a background in theatre, is invited to take advantage of this unique, educational opportunity.

Each of these open-to-all workshops will be followed by a full-fledged production using select participants from the workshops. The first three-day workshop is scheduled for January 2010 and the subsequent production in April 2010 will also be held at the New Hazlett Theater.

Blue Mango plans to continue building its audience and repertoire company by reaching out to various student groups, ethnic organizations, regional associations, community centers, websites, and other locations of multi-cultural importance. For more information, visit www.bluemango.us or email contactus@bluemango.us.

Please note: Moonshine and Skytoffee tickets can be purchased through the Blue Mango website or by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS.

Official Website: http://www.bluemango.us