The world-premiere musical adaptation of the film Monsoon Wedding (see my SFist review here), now playing at Berkeley Rep, has just been extended for the third time, and there is now a new block of tickets on sale. Originally extended into July before previews had even ended, the show was extended to July 9 shortly after it opened to rave reviews, and now it will close on July 16 likely with a bigger future ahead, perhaps in New York.
The story, concerning a modern-day arranged marriage and the joining of the New Dehli-based Verma family and the Indian expat Rai family, now living in the US, derives from the 2001 film of the same name directed by Mira Nair and written by Sabrina Dhawan, who together worked to adapt the musical version. The score by composer Vishal Bhardwaj and lyricist Susan Birkenhead is loaded with exuberant ensemble numbers and moving ballads, and combines pop, Bollywood, and traditional Indian sounds and harmonies.
I called it "an exuberant, infectious, and highly musical musical that seems pre-destined for a trip to Broadway," and San Francisco Magazine calls it "A triumphant celebration" whose "greatest moments come in song."
The new block of tickets for mid-July went on sale this morning. Premium seats sell for $110-125, Section A for $90-110, and Section B for $40-90. Half-price discounts are available for anyone under the age of 30, and weeknight tickets are priced lower than those on weekends.
Related: Mira Nair's 'Monsoon Wedding' Becomes An Exuberant, Big-Hearted Musical At Berkeley Rep