“This is new, new is good.”

Sam Willmott, Lyricist

Bhangra Nation

(Bhangin' It)
"Outstanding and eye-popping... forceful direction"
Pat Launer
Times of San Diego
"Arima can take credit for a lot of what's right"
Bill Eadie
Talkin' Broadway
"Feel-good stuff... ending with a bang"
San Diego Reader
"Show with a lot of heart, grappling with issues that matter"
Janice Steinberg
San Diego Story
"Splashy, high-energy musical... funny, accessible and entertaining"
Pam Kragen
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Director's Note

​​This inventive and infectious musical had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse. It was a true gift. Not only was the show produced by the acclaimed Mara Isaacs and Tom Kirdahy but I was reunited with sound designer Jonathan Deans (whom I’ve collaborated with on many shows including Red Velvet and Carrie), and I met an entirely new family of artists (authors, designers, choreographer and creatives) who were inspired to transform a unique story about bhangra, culture and self-awareness into a delicious new musical.

A black and white photo of Stafford Arima standing with his arms crossed in dramatic lighting

Awards

Resources

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Credits

U.S. Production 

Book: Rehana Lew Mirza & Mike Lew

Music & Lyrics: Sam Wilmott

Additional Music: Deep Singh

Choreographer: Rujuta Vaidya

Musical Staging: Lisa Shriver

Musical Director: Madeline Benson

Orchestrations: Justin Goldner

Sets: Robert Brill

Lighting: Amith Chandrashaker

Costumes: Linda Cho

Sound: Jonathan Deans

Projections: David Bengali

Producer: La Jolla Playhouse

Theatre: Mandell Weiss Theatre 

U.K. Production

Book: Rehana Lew Mirza & Mike Lew

Music & Lyrics: Sam Wilmott

Choreographer: Rujuta Vaidya

Producer: The Birmingham Rep

Theatre: The House