A Brimful of Asha NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (86)
See it if you enjoy stories about Indian match-making (eg Meet The Patels). Good-natured ribbing is the backbone of this intergenerational tug-of-war.
Don't see it if you want a theatrical experience. Here, you "sit" at the Jain's kitchen table. You're prepped by eating samosas and drinking chai. Low-key Read more
See it if You like sharp funny sort of semi-autobiographical stories especially if you like to learn about what's probably a different culture to you.
Don't see it if You don't like being treated as an invited guest, treated graciously and told a lovely story about an Indian family's experience (the son).
Critic Reviews (4)
"Asha isn't a born performer, but she is funny and ultimately has the audience in the palm of her hand...Jain is a skilled storyteller and deserves props as a writer...A couple of small cuts could be made early to get the family to India sooner without any of the setup of their relationship being sacrificed...'Asha' is a charming production with an unlikely comedic duo that also provides a window into the subject of arranged marriage...It's a welcome introduction to another culture."
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“Pioneering in its intimacy and yet unapologetically heartwarming, Ravi Jain’s play is a beguiling blend of old and new styles, which fits the material beautifully…The layers upon layers of performance that take place within any family constellation, on and off the stage, take on invigorating life here. But Ravi’s performance suffers in surprising ways from Asha’s presence…Set against Asha’s unforced charm, these techniques can come across as overly scripted.”
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“Asha is simply wonderful as herself: a clever, subtle woman with an impish sense of humor and a smile that lights up the whole theatre…There are very funny moments, furious arguments and—for some of us—unusual and very intimate insights into Indian culture and mores. The piece is weaker, ironically, when it tries to become more theatrical, attempting to recreate a scene rather than relying on storytelling...The deep affection that the two of them have for each other shines through everything.”
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“A warm, intimate and very funny show…Their delightful double-act strengthens as the show continues…While, at times, the pair’s delivery makes it is impossible to ignore the scripted nature of their ‘off-the-cuff’ bickering, for the most part, one is too busy laughing to care…In the end, its refusal to simplify matters proves the show’s greatest strength...We come to understand at least some of the complexities, pressures and frustrations of this most personal of culture clashes.”
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