We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!
Photo-main

In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel - a play by Tennessee Williams. An artist creates a "living canvas".

In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel

by Tennessee Williams

Creators: Shashi Balooja & Maria Torres

Mock ups of set.
Mock ups of set.

Choreography by Maria Torres

AKA "The Tokyo Project" #TheTokyoProject is a culmination of efforts to present:

  • a mixed media off-Broadway play this October 2012, to be further developed for a larger production, on Broadway circa fall 2013.
  • a 15 minute short film to premiere in 2013 film festivals, and a behind the scenes documentary during rehearsals; the prequel to a feature film.
Synopsis: “In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel” (“Tokyo”) is a tale of love, loss, and tremendous pain masked and healed by the artistic beauty of a painting on a “living canvas.” Mark (Shashi Balooja) and his wife Miriam, two Americans in a very troubled marriage, have found themselves in a Tokyo Hotel. Mark, a once successful painter, is trying to reinvigorate his career. His failed marriage, indulgent lifestyle, and the toxicity of being trapped in a room full of paint and turpentine for days is weighing on him. He appears to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown and has convinced himself that he has discovered color. Sinking deeper into his psychosis, he spreads canvases on the floor and sprays paint on them while rolling around on them in the nude. Mark is convinced that he is creating his ultimate masterpiece. He is racing to the finish with obvious diminishing physical and mental capabilities, and fighting to the best of his depleted ability his wife’s attempts to have him committed.

There are two key elements unique to this production that add emotional depth and psychological dimension to the play, and make it even more appealing. First, we will stage the play in concurrent streams; alternating between the hotel bar where Miriam spends her time and a projected video feed of the room in the hotel which Mark uses as his make-shift studio. Second, we will introduce Mark’s body of work as a central character in the dialogue through dancers’ movement and 3 Dimensional projections. 


The stunning results of our recent creative workshop led by producing Director Shashi Balooja and Creative Director and Choreographer Maria Torres, further compel us to continue to approach the play with segments set to movement and music. Through movement, interpretive elements of the canvasses, in conjunction with other media including live streaming video (an insight to the artist’s studio) will be discovered. We are capitalizing on the tremendous opportunity to bring the images of the canvasses to life as is so vividly described in the play.

We have raised a large portion of our budget and have secured a theater and the rights to produce the play. It will open in October and we need your help to compensate our talented team of designers, crew and talent, many of whom have already come on board to assist us with this journey of passion, love and hope. We also need funds to promote the play as marketing and advertising are extremely important and necessary to garner an audience, without whom all of our efforts and talent contributed to this project will be lost.

Original Creative Workshop in association with Amas Musical Theatre - March 2012 - From L to R: John O'Connor, Maria Torres, Donna Trinkoff, Shashi Balooja, Licia James-Zagar, Glen Cruz, Skizzo Freniko, Randi Kleiner & Alycia Perrin
Original Creative Workshop in association with Amas Musical Theatre - March 2012 - From L to R: John O'Connor, Maria Torres, Donna Trinkoff, Shashi Balooja, Licia James-Zagar, Glen Cruz, Skizzo Freniko, Randi Kleiner & Alycia Perrin

Thank you for your help! Our appreciation will shine through our tireless work, and the amazing masterpiece that is the world of the play. You will be truly proud to be a part of this, and will enjoy this journey with us.

Much love,

Shashi, Maria & Team

presented by Media at Large
presented by Media at Large

FAQ

Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

Ask a question
42
Backers
$4,566
pledged of $40,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on September 10, 2012.

Funding period
Aug 18, 2012 - Sep 10, 2012

Missing_medium

See full bio

  • Pledge $5 or more

    2 backers

    We are grateful for all support. We will send you a nice thank you note.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    2 backers

    We are grateful for all support. We will send you a nice thank you note and mention you on our website and on Facebook.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $15 or more

    4 backers

    We will send you a nice thank you note, mention you on our website, and on Facebook. We will also list you in our New York Playbill for the show.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    6 backers

    We will send you a nice thank you note, mention you on our website, Facebook, and list you in our New York Playbill for the show. You will also have access to 1 complimentary ticket to the show when available 24 hrs prior to show.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $40 or more

    2 backers Limited (28 of 30 left)

    We will send you a nice thank you note, mention you on our website, Facebook, and list you in our New York Playbill for the show. One T-shirt with original artwork from the show. You will also have access to 1 complimentary ticket to the show when not sold out.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    7 backers

    We will send you a nice thank you note, mention you on our website, Facebook, and list you in our New York Playbill for the show. You will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the show when available 24 hrs prior to show.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $75 or more

    0 backers Limited (20 of 20 left)

    You will receive a thank you note, listings, and 2 complimentary ticket to the show. mention you on our website, Facebook, and list you in our New York Playbill for the show. We will also help you to promote your KICKSTARTER campaign on Facebook and Twitter several times a week and include a blurb your project in our monthly email blasts.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    6 backers

    You will receive a thank you note, mention you on our website, Facebook, and list you in our New York Playbill for the show. You will also receive 2 complimentary tickets to the show.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $150 or more

    0 backers

    Thank you listings, a signed playbill which you can collect on the night of the show, and 2 complimentary tickets to the show. Up to 3 additional comps when available 24 hrs prior to show.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $200 or more

    1 backer

    Thank you listings. 1 t-shirt with original artwork from the production, a signed playbill which you can collect on the night of the show, and 2 complimentary tickets to the show. Up to 4 additional comps when available 24 hrs prior to show.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $250 or more

    0 backers

    Thank you listings. 2 t-shirts with original artwork from the production, signed playbill which you can collect on the night of the show, 2 complimentary tickets to the show, and photos with the cast. Up to 4 additional comps when available 24 hrs prior to show for you or a friend.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $300 or more

    0 backers

    Thank you listings. A Gift Bag (2 t-shirts from the production, two baseball caps, signed playbill, and other goodies), 2 complimentary tickets to the show with access to after-show events and gatherings and photos with the cast. Access to 1 rehearsal. Up to 4 additional comps when available 24 hrs prior to show for you or a friend.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $400 or more

    0 backers

    Thank you listings. A Gift Bag (2 t-shirts from the production, 2 baseball caps, signed playbill). 2 complimentary tickets to the show with access to after-show events nightly gatherings, and photos with the cast. Invitation for two to either opening or closing event. Access to 1 rehearsal.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $500 or more

    1 backer

    2 VIP packages and four tickets to the production. Invitation to Opening Night and Closing Night Events. Access to 1 rehearsal. 2 complimentary tickets to a Broadway show. Up to 4 additional comps when available 24 hrs prior to show for you or friends.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $750 or more

    0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)

    You will receive 1 VIP package. Tickets and access to all VIP parties including opening and closing night performances, red carpet access and all events. Invitation for 1 to "Shashi Cooks for his Birthday" on November 2nd, 2012. Dinner or brunch with the cast. evening of dinner, entertainment, and fun at a Theatre Row restaurant. Access to 1 rehearsal.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)

    VIP packages for 2. Includes performance with a cast and crew VIP dinner and party on opening or closing night. 2 Gift bags. Invitation for 2 to "Shashi Cooks for his Birthday" on November 2nd, 2012. An evening of dinner, entertainment, and fun at in a theatre row restaurant. Access to select rehearsals & tech.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $2,500 or more

    0 backers Limited (6 of 6 left)

    2 VIP packages, a 1 night stay at a hotel in Times Square, NYC for an opening or closing performance. Access to select rehearsals & tech. You will also receive 2 gift bags. 2 tickets to a Broadway Show. Access to all events including "Shashi Cooks for his Birthday" on November 2nd, 2012. Personal concierge will be provided.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)

    Associate Producer credit. 2 night stay in Times Square, NYC for 2, for opening or closing night. Private producers dinner and brunch with cast and crew. Access to select rehearsals & tech. Red carpet access on opening and closing night. 4 VIP packages, tickets, and gift bags and signed poster from production/cast. Access to all VIP events for 4. Dinner and night out with the cast. Associate Producers credit on "Tokyo Project" short film with IMDB credit. 2 tickets to a Broadway Show. Personal concierge.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $7,500 or more

    0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)

    Producer credit. 2 night stay in Times Square, NYC, for 2, for opening or closing night. Private producers dinner and brunch with cast and crew. Red carpet access on opening and closing night. Access to all open rehearsals, tech and dress rehearsal. Pledges made before August 30th will receive credit on Theatre marquee, posters and signage. 4 VIP packets, tickets, gift bags and signed poster from production/cast. Dinner with cast and two gift bags. Access to all VIP Events for four. credit on "Tokyo Project" short film with IMDB credit. Personal concierge.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $10,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    Executive Producer credit. 2night stay in Times Square, NYC for 2, for opening or closing night. Private producers dinner and brunch with cast and crew. Red carpet access on opening and closing night. 4 VIP packets, tickets, gift bags and signed poster from production/cast. Dinner with cast and two gift bags. Access to all events for 4. Access to open rehearsals & tech. 20 complimentary tickets with VIP seats to 1 performance with private reception, dinner, and party with cast and crew to prior to and following show. Pledges made before August 30th will receive credit on Theatre marquee, posters and signage. Personal concierge will be provided. Executive Producers credit on "Tokyo Project" short film and Associate Producers credit on feature film on IMDB.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012