Krossroads Productions, a community theater group presented two plays, one in Bengali and one in Hindi on Dec 7 and 8 at the Woodhill Middle School in Andover, MA.
Mungeri Lal Ki Adhure Sapne, directed by Amitabha Lala is an excellent example of community theater at its best. Seamlessly blending the spirit of traditional street theater with modern political satire, the production captivated the audience with its raw energy and thought-provoking narrative.
The play eschews elaborate costumes and set designs, opting instead for a minimalist approach that keeps the focus squarely on the storytelling. The cast displayed exceptional versatility, constantly shifting roles with ease and precision, a testament to their skill and the brilliance of director Amitabha Lala.
At the heart of the story is a poignant metaphor: a poet named Internet lies trapped beneath a fallen tree, symbolizing the struggles of art and truth in a world riddled with indifference. The titular character, Mungeri Lal, embodies the everyman—well-intentioned but powerless—desperately trying to save the poet during a farmer's protest orchestrated by the opposition. In this layered narrative, no one escapes critique: the ruling party, the bureaucracy, the opposition, and even the poet society itself, which pens verses but fails to take meaningful action.
The music was a highlight, adding depth to the scenes and enhancing the emotional impact. Each actor shone in their multiple roles, delivering powerful performances that resonated deeply with the audience.
Mungeri Lal Ki Adhure Sapne is a masterclass in how community theater can tackle pressing social and political issues with humor, poignancy, and creativity. Krossroads Productions has delivered a memorable play that leaves the audience both entertained and introspective.
Adhbhuture, written and directed by Jayati Banerjee, was a remarkable blend of spooky comedy that stood out for its originality and execution. The play, set in an old haunted mansion, masterfully combined eerie lighting to create the perfect atmosphere with a cast of intriguing and ambitious characters. The mansion, once the site of a bitter sibling inheritance dispute, had been transformed into a quirky tourist attraction, drawing a diverse group of thrill-seekers and scheming locals, each harboring their own secrets.
The narrative unfolded as a delightful mix of spine-tingling suspense, uproarious misunderstandings, and ghostly encounters. The clever writing kept the audience engaged, while the stellar performances elevated the experience. The actors skillfully transitioned between slapstick comedy and moments of genuine tension, ensuring the audience was both laughing and on edge. With its sharp humor, atmospheric setting, and compelling character dynamics, Adhbhuture proved to be a thoroughly entertaining and memorable theatrical production.
We look forward to the next production from this group.
Aadbhuture cast and crew
CAST
Adrija Roy,Shinjinee Khan,Samya Bhaduri,Amit Ghosh,Jhum Sarcar,Somdutta MItra,Sharani Ghoshal,Subhrajit Saha,Nilay Mukherjee,Tanima Chatterjee,Soumitra Roy,Rupsa Gangopadhyay,Swadhina GuhaThakurta,Debashree Mondal,Suchismita Roy Chowdhury,Ritu Mukherjee,Jayati Banerjee
Music: Debajyoti Basu | Recitation: Raka Dutta, Rupsa Gangopadhyay
Production Assistance: Debjani Brahmachari, Gouri Ghosh, Ritabrata Chatterjee, Ashish Brahma
Light design: Rishav Goswami, Prateek Paul
Supertitle creation : Nilay Mukherjee
Supertitle Play : Arup Dey
Make up : Shanto Ghosh, Moon Ghosh, Lopamudra Chakraborty
Vocal -Debajyoti Basu and Jayati Banerjee along with Raka Datta and Rupsa Gangopadhyay
Light Design: Rishov Goswami and Prateek Paul
Sound track operation : Raitabrata Chatterjee, Gouri Ghosh
Prop Management : Debjani Brahmachari
Aadbhuture Poster and background image : Kushal Bhattacharya
Teaser : Subhrajit Saha
CAST NAMES -
Jolly Bhatia, Sanjay Jain, Dilip Gehlot, Gopika Narula, Prerna Mathur, Dola Mishra, Archana Swami, Naresh Parmar, Tulan Kantesaria & Rakesh Chauhan
Direction - Amitabha Lala-
Light design: Rishov Goswami
Soundtrack operation : Arup De
Backdrop painting : Sanjeev Menon
Script feedback : Sunayana Kachroo
Supertitles creation : Nilay Mukherjee
Technology and sound: Prateek Paul
Supertitle operation : Tathagata Chatterjee
Make up : Gopika , Archana , Dola and Prerna
Backstage help : Jiten Valecha, Vikas Agarwal
Background music: Dhiman Mondal, Ujjal Sarkar, Jewel Alam and Mouli lala
Prop management : Prerna Mathur and Archana Swami
Original script : Jamun ka Ped by Krishan Chandar
Song lyrics: 'Suno ye kahani suno' by Sunayana Kachroo
'Zameer ki is duniyadari' by Amitabha Lala
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