From the surprise of a party to the delicious daal and rice – “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” is delectable! Theatre in of itself is so enjoyable but when espoused to an interactive party at which you are a guest and participant, the joy is tenfold! This original play incorporates and engages everyone in the audience in the most communal way where the audience feels they are part of a home. We are brought together through the cooking and sharing of comfort Indian food and with arresting storytelling.
“Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” is an intricate display of cultural complexities, where the celebratory and palatable aspects of South Asian cultural traditions provide an entry point to more nuanced understandings of the immigrant experience. This two-person play reveals the intergenerational tensions of immigrant families while questioning what happiness looks like through the struggles of daily work life, especially the strife faced by many immigrant parents who wish for a better life for their children.
Kalyani Nagarajan, who plays Mrs. Krishanan, is unforgettable! She immerses herself into the character with such sincerity and believability. She grips the audience with her mesmerizing performance. At the beginning of the play – or shall I say party – I was hesitant because cultural representations in a hyper-celebratory way can be portrayed as exoticization of a culture. However, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at the unapologetic and genuine way in which the performers carried out the story – especially Kalyani Nagarajan. The play never overdoes the Indian character of Mrs. Krishnan and allows everyone to be invested in the story. We find ourselves becoming a part of the play as guests, as witnesses, and even friends who convene together for a party of a lifetime.
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– Maira Hassan