An evening of music and dance and some nostalgia in BLR Hubba

Veteran cast reunites for ‘A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

The BLR Hubba 2024 spread much cheer with its line-up and featured eclectic performances. Arjun Sajnani’s production of A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine, staged at Chowdiah Hall, Bengaluru, in December, was part of the offerings. Sajnani first produced this show 32 years ago.

Comprising two unconnected acts, the first half was a musical tribute to Hollywood of the 1930s, when it dominated the dreams and aspirations of young hopefuls. In the play, the usherettes of the famous Graumann’s Chinese Theatre take to the stage, imitating their screen idols, singing and acting out their aspirations.

The pastiche of songs from the 1930s was enjoyable, and music director Maya Mascarenhas’ group of singers did justice to the songs. However, only those over 95 would have been familiar with them. So, it possibly was not as meaningful to the current generation in the audience. Familiarity adds greatly to one’s musical enjoyment, as people often hum along to a well-known song. The fact that ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ was the most popular part of this half, attests to this. For, even the younger generation knows the song that has, like the rainbow, arced over decades, to brighten musical skies.

Without betraying the period, the older unfamiliar songs could have been substituted with “classics” such as ‘Summertime’, ‘Blue Moon’ and Cole Porter’s favourites, have endured, thereby adding to the audience enjoyment.

The songs fell seamlessly into place, helped by the vivid visuals evocative of the period. Technology was definitely the mainstay of this first half. One wonders how this show appeared 32 years ago, with only conventional static stage sets and without the benefit of technologically projected scenery. Clay Kelton’s well-sourced visuals recreated that era, with clips from movies, and illustrations for the song lyrics.

Visuals of a sinuous dragon set the scene for the famous Graumann’s Chinese Theatre, and the piano keyboards unfurling across the stage, were particularly appropriate for the snappy, catchy piano pieces.

It was a delight to witness so much young vocal talent in Bengaluru, particularly Priya Mendens, who displayed fine control and modulation in her solo, ‘The Best in the World’.