A Brimful of Asha

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After a sold out run in January, Tarragon Theatre proudly presents a return engagement of the smash hit A Brimful of Asha. A Why Not Theatre production, written and performed by real-life mother and son Asha and Ravi Jain and directed by Ravi Jain, A Brimful of Asha runs November 25 to December 16 in Tarragon Theatre's Extra Space (with media night November 27).  Tickets range from $21-$53 (inclusive of HST) and are available by calling the box office at 416.531.1827 or by visiting www.tarragontheatre.com.

Asha and Ravi Jain share the stage and tell the tale of how Ravi's parents planned a surprise trip to India to intercept him on his vacation and arrange his marriage. Ravi resents the intrusion but, as far as his parents are concerned, it's time for him to get a wife!

Ravi knows what he's up against: a whole way of life cherished by his mother's generation and those before her. Can he remain true to himself and bring Asha some peace?

Nightly sold out shows and critical accolades greeted this laugh-out-loud (and very Canadian) true story:

3.5 Stars out of 4
"Fresh, warm family drama – served with samosas – As it turns out, though, the samosas aren't a tasty bribe but a symbol of what is to comeŠ A Brimful of Asha proves to be a warm, fresh piece of theatreŠ. The irony is that we don't really get a brimful of Asha Jain, just enough of a taste to want to hear more from her." – The Globe and Mail

3.5 Stars out of 4

"Asha is simply wonderful as herself: a clever, subtle woman with an impish sense of humour and a smile that lights up the whole theatreŠ. Most of all, however, it's a piece about family; the deep affection that the two of them have for each other shines through everything." – Toronto Star

"Ravi may be the one with the gift of gab, but brevity is the soul of non-actor Asha's wit. She delight[s] us while also quelling her charismatic son's efforts to be free of her epic matchmaking schemesŠ. [It] is full to the brim with loving, personal admissions. It's both a diatribe against and a tribute to mothers (and their complaining sons)."
– NOW Magazine

A Brimful of Asha has just been published by Playwrights Canada Press and is available for sale in the Tarragon Theatre lobby.

Ravi Jain is a multi-award-winning actor, director, producer, educator, arts-activist and Artistic Director of Why Not Theatre. His acting credits include the Dora Award-winning SPENT (Theatre Smith-Gilmour/Why Not Theatre/TheatreRUN) and A Brimful of Asha (Why Not Theatre/Tarragon). Ravi was the 2010 Urjo Kareda Resident Artist at Tarragon when he began to develop A Brimful of Asha. His company was in residence at the Theatre Centre when he developed I'm So Close (winner of Spotlight Award at SummerWorks 2009, and toured to Dublin and Vancouver). He has assisted notable directors Daniel Brooks (Necessary Angel's Hardsell), Richard Rose (Tarragon's Courageous) and Jennifer Tarver (Stratford's King of Thieves), the latter as part of the inaugural Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival. Select directing credits for Why Not include The Prince Hamlet, I'm So Close, A Brimful of Asha, Greenland (winner of NOW Audience Choice Award and Best Production SummerWorks '09), Iceland (winner of NOW Audience Choice Award and Best New Play SummerWorks '12). Currently, Ravi is among 12 resident artists at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts and was a member of the DiverseCity Fellows program, which aims to diversify leadership across sectors in Toronto. Ravi is engaged in many different arts organizations and creations across the city and the globe, including the programming committee for the Daniels Spectrum as well as the Artist Advisory Committee for ArtReach Toronto. He was recently awarded the 2012 Pauline McGibbon Award and is the Artistic Director-in-Residence at the Theatre Centre for 2013.

Asha Jain grew up in New Delhi, India. Upon completion of her Master's Degree, she married in 1974, which led to her immigration to Canada. While supporting her husband Ramesh in the founding of his own business, she raised two boys, Anurag and Ravi. She is a wonderful mother, wife and now a very funny actor. She is excited to be sharing this story with the world, in order to finally prove her son wrong.

Tarragon Theatre presents
Why Not Theatre's A Brimful of Asha
Written by Asha and Ravi Jain
Directed by Ravi Jain
Starring Ravi Jain and his mom, Asha Jain
Set and Costume Designer: Julie Fox
Lighting and Projection Designer: Beth Kates
Stage Manager: Jenna Turk
Sunday, November 25 to Sunday, December 16, 2012 (Media Night: Tuesday, November 27)
Tarragon Theatre's Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Avenue, Toronto, M5R 1X3
Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm
Tickets range from $27-$53  (Discounts for students, seniors and groups)
AND a Pay-What-You-Can 2:30pm matinee on Sat. Dec 15
– $13 Rush Tickets available at the door for Sunday matinees  (on sale at 1pm) –

Tickets can be purchased through the box office at 416.531.1827 or visit www.tarragontheatre.com

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