Book & Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins
Music by Denver Casado
Based on the book "Chachaji's Cup" by Uma Krishnaswami
With illustrations by Soumya Sitaraman
Published 2004 by Children's Book Press

Directed & Choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Music Direction by Tim Rosser

Chachaji, 10-year-old Neel's great uncle, sips chai as he shares Hindu myths with Neel and his Indian-born mother. But, the greatest story of all is found in Chachaji's teacup. This precious heirloom migrated with young Chachaji and his mother from Pakistan to India after the Partition of 1947. As they walked many miles, she swore to her son, "If this fragile cup can make it without breaking, so can we."

As Neel grows older and busier, so grows the distance between Indian tradition and his American life. Then, after carelessly breaking Chachaji's cup, the young teen must repair this symbol of survival and his relationship with his great-uncle. In doing so, he learns to value family and heritage.

This beautifully staged Off-Broadway production features award-winning talent and live music played on keyboard (Music Director Tim Rosser), sitar (Justin Hosek), and tabla (Laura Jordan).

The cast of TEA WITH CHACHAJI features Raja Burrows, Tony Mirrcandani (THE MERCHANTS OF BOLLYWOOD), Stephanie Klemons (IN THE HEIGHTS), Jose Sepulveda, and Soneela Nankani.

Design team for TEA WITH CHACHAJI is - Cory Einbinder (Set Design), Bill Grady (Sound Design), Doug Cox (Lighting Design), Leslie Bernstein (Costume Design), and Sarah Bird (Prop Design).

The production team for TEA WITH CHACHAJI is Elis Arroyo (Production Stage Manager), B.D. White (Production Manager), Bill Grady (Sound Engineer), Jason Hurdle (Video Technician), and Desiree Eckert (Wardrobe).

Making Books Sing - where theatre inspires learning - is the only theatre company of its kind dedicated to combining literacy with the performing arts by creating professional theatre works based on contemporary children's books from diverse cultures. In previous years, Making Books Sing has developed a devoted audience of school-age children and their families (73,000 and counting!) with its musical productions based on books.