Part Scripted Drama, Part Improvisation

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party

Leave your troubles at the door as you enter the intimate Upstairs venue on the sixth floor of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Set in the storeroom of a small grocery store a surprise party is in the works. And guess what? The good news is that we’re all invited to participate and enjoy the festivities! The shop is owned by a very original personage, in every sense of the word. Mrs. Krishnan is the charming, gregarious Indian woman who owns and runs the store. She’s a widow, with a son named Abu, who’s at university in another city. Mrs. Krishnan is a little kooky and an extraordinary cook. Today is the colorful celebration of the feast of Onam, and the entire audience has been invited to the festivities!

MRS. KRISNAN’S PARTY is a wonderfully joyous, completely immersive and interactive theatrical experience. It’s part scripted drama, part spontaneous improvisation and part real-time cooking. Upon entering the intimate Upstairs Theatre space, theatergoers will notice that pulsating pop music’s playing. The venue has been festooned with colorful streamers, garlands of flowers, twinkling lights and the whole space has been reconfigured to resemble the backroom of a grocery store. In the center is a large dining room table that seats about a dozen people. Surrounding the “top table,” on either side, are the front row seats, called “the inner circle.” Then there are the “cheeky circle” seats and, for the more timid theatergoers, the area designated for the “wallflowers.” The degree of participation in the party is up to each individual, but the revelry is so contagious that it’s hard to imagine any theatergoer not wanting to become totally involved.

An affably outgoing young man named James greets each theatergoer at the door, ushering them to their seats within their chosen section of participation. He’s Mrs. Krishnan’s tenant who’s been rooming at her house while he attends college. James welcomes us, explaining that he’s throwing this fete as a surprise treat for his hardworking landlady. Suddenly he hears Mrs. K approaching, so James extinguishes the lights. When his landlady is inside the lights come back on and the audience shouts “Surprise!” Poor Mrs. Krishnan just about faints as she scans the theatergoers, asking “Where did he find all the chairs?” 

Mrs. Krishnan (portrayed with a broad, toothy smile, quick witty repartee and great comic timing by Kalyani Nagarajan), gradually warms up to the audience, fulfilling the old adage that a stranger is simply a friend she hasn’t met yet. Between James (played with so much elation and enthusiasm by Justin Te Honihana Pokaihau Rogers) and Mrs. K, we learn the history of Onam. We also discover more about the relationship between the two characters, as well as that, sadly, Mrs. Krishnan has decided to sell her grocery store and move somewhere, perhaps back to India. 

As the evening progresses, more audience members become physically involved in the show: donning colorful scarfs,  answering phones, sweeping the floor, blowing up balloons, cooking the pepper daal and a number of additional tasks. We also learn some jaw-dropping surprises about these two characters. The dramatic portion of the party ends with a shocking and darkly comic discovery that brings much laughter. With the warm aroma of exotic spices filling the air, the audience is invited to stay longer (if they’re up for it) for a delicious plate of daal and more festivities from an Onam Sadya. 

The fabulously festive and funny evening is an absolute celebration of happiness. The show is also a positive affirmation for finding or creating your own “family,” especially when you’re no longer able to be with your parents, siblings and other actual relatives. This family-friendly show features two charming characters offering exhilarating performances (creatively directed by Justin Lewis), creating inspiring and heartfelt moments and including some hilarious audience participation. The whole party, which is an absolute hoot, is part scripted drama, part improvisation, with real-time cooking. The entire experience is nicely wrapped up in an immersive, 90-minute show that theatergoers won’t soon forget

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Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 7-26 by Indian Ink Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Theatre space, on Navy Pier, Chicago.

Tickets are available by calling the box office, by calling 312-595-5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Ankita Singh