Press

Wednesday, May 4, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Come Fall In Love With Yasmin Virani
Vancouver, BC – Carrie Bradshaw meets Bridget Jones in this laugh-out-loud play that charts a year in the life of Yasmin Virani, a playwright desperate to write her second play and on a permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement. While she is ready to fall in love again or at least write about it, Yasmin hasn’t quite gotten over her ex boyfriend and now she can’t stop emailing her old high school English teacher! Sexy, smart and funny – this romantic comedy debuts on Friday, June 3rd at Pal Studio Theatre – 8 PM. Tickets are $20 (including refreshments) and can be purchased by clicking on the Box Office link at: www.yasminvirani.com.
STAR WAS BORN LAST NIGHT, SHINING BOTH EAST & WEST!
“Yasmin’s performance was outstanding…I can’t remember the last time I saw a show where Gandhi and Lady Gaga were mentioned in the same breath!! Yasmin is a writer, actor, director and producer (whew!) and she owned that stage last night. Her biographical play took us through her growing up, experiencing love (sort of), losing love then finding it again within herself. She talks about her family, her travels and career and there was not one word that didn’t ring true to my own experiences. We laughed, we nodded agreement and familiarity, and some of us struggled to hold back a tear or two.”
Fordham PR | May 24th, 2014| Read more of Glenda Fordham’s review at: http://fordhampr.ca/2014/05/24/a-star-was-born-last-night-shining-both-east-west
MyBindi Interviews Yasmin Virani
1. What is it about the legendary Bollywood film Umrao Jaan that inspired you to stage Umrao Yasmin; A New Beginning?  I think Rekha Ji’s performance in Umrao Jaan was phenomenal!  Watching her as a kid definitely had an impact on me and I do go into that in Umrao Yasmin, but Umrao Jaan is actually based on Umrao Jaan Ada – a novel written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa.  I wanted to pay homage to the original story, but at the same time make it my own.
2. What are the biggest challenges of a one-woman show? How did you overcome them?  Keeping an audience both engaged and entertained.  A one – woman show is exactly that – there’s only one person on stage.  It’s just me and a story and so, there’s incredible pressure on me to make sure that both the content and my delivery of it is entertaining.  And, sometimes, the material works and sometimes, it’s doesn’t.  The only way to know for sure is to get out there and perform the work.  That’s what I do.
3. What is the core message of the play?  That Bollywood films aren’t just about beautiful women dancing around in half naked costumes.  That art, in general, can be both powerful and transformative, because it has the ability to change people’s thoughts and ultimately, one’s perspective on things.
4. Who is the audience for Umrao Yasmin? (Young women, older women or both men and women?)  Any adult who enjoys hearing a great story.
5. You were born in Vancouver but your acting career began in England. Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your career path?  I started Kathak dancing around nine, in Toronto, and then began training as an actor in my teens in England.  At university, in Montreal, I really honed my skills as a director and writing, I’ve always done.  No matter where I was or am in the world – it’s an outlet for me.  In my late 20s though, I began to merge my talents and came full circle when I debuted my first one woman show, Anand (bliss, peace or happiness) in Vancouver.  That’s when I actually started to see some success.
6. How did your training as a Kathak dancer influence the making/writing of Umrao Yasmin?  I didn’t really train as a Kathak dancer.  My parents couldn’t afford it.  Instead, they volunteered me to dance at mosque during celebratory events and I think that informed my opinion on art being a conduit for spirituality.  For me, art is prayer.  Prayer is art.
7. Is Umrao Yasmin based on your personal experience or is it a work of fiction?  Both.  A lot of Umrao Yasmin is based on personal experience, but, ultimately, I see myself as an entertainer.  It’s important to me that people go home feeling like they’ve watched a great show.  So I spend a lot of time working on the material.
8. What else can we look forward to from you in the future?  My third play which I’ve already written.  It’s a beautiful love story.  Initially, my plan was to turn my first play, Anand (bliss, peace,happiness), into a movie and if I had the resources to do it alone, I would.  There’s a huge market for Bollywood stories not only amongst the South Asian population worldwide, but westerners love Bollywood too – if you have the right kind of story.  Nobody wants to sit through three hours of just sheer melodrama (unless, of course, the movie stars Shah Rukh Khan, because, really, who cares about the story at that point?), but a great story is universal and that’s really my vision for TPARK; to incorporate the best parts of both worlds in my work and partner with like minded individuals/production companies who see the potential in my stories and have the talent/resources to go global.
MyBindi | May 14th, 2014 | http://www.mybindi.com
Yasmin Virani Brings India To Toronto During South Asian Month
Toronto, ON- After the successful run of her first one – woman show, Yasmin Virani, returns to the stage with her second play, Umrao Yasmin, A New Beginning – a tale of faith, love and artistry, inspired by the legendary Bollywood film, Umrao Jaan, in her new play, the actress opens up about her life – changing trip to India and will be celebrating the launch of her new company, TPARK ENTERTAINMENT, by serving appetizers and dinner before the show and dessert afterwards. The name is based on a predominantly South Asian neighbourhood in Toronto called Thorncliffe Park.
“If it wasn’t for Thorncliffe, I don’t think I would have been as ambitious as I was in my teens. I was able to fly because I knew I had a place to come back home to where people were like me – not this, but not entirely that either. My vision for TPARK is to create a platform where Hollywood and Bollywood meet – to tell great stories that are not only universal, but that reflect us. Children who are born and raised here, but have roots elsewhere and to do so with expertise and excellence,” says Virani.
Umrao Yasmin, A New Beginning, plays during South Asian month at Dancemakers Studio, in Toronto, on May 23rd at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $25.00 and includes appetizers, dinner and dessert.
Indo-Canadian Voice | May 13th, 2014 | http://www.voiceonline.com
Yasmin Virani Talks Love, India And Lady Gaga
Vancouver, BC – After the successful run of her first one – woman play, Yasmin Virani, returns to the stage with her second play, Umrao Yasmin, A New Beginning – a tale of faith, love and artistry. Once again, the actress opens up about her personal relationships, faith, betrayal, even Lady Gaga. “I think faith represents different things to different people. Some people find it in temple. Some people find it in a Lady Gaga song, but how do you find it once you’ve lost it? And how do you find it once you’ve lost it by having been betrayed by the people you love most in the world? That’s really what my new play is about. Love and friendship gone wrong and the lies we tell ourselves about the world when they do,” says Virani.
Umrao Yasmin, A New Beginning, runs December 14th and 15th at Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial Dr.).  8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $20.  Visit: www.yasminvirani.com to purchase tickets.
Indo-Canadian Voice | November 17, 2012 | http://www.voiceonline.com
Yasmin Virani Shines During Festival of Lights
Toronto, ON – After performing in Vancouver, Los Angeles, during the 2010 Winter Olympics and on Broadway, Yasmin Virani gets ready to close the North American tour of her successful one – woman play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness), by performing her last show in Toronto during the time of Diwali otherwise known as the, “Festival of Lights.”
“I deliberately chose Toronto as the last stop on my tour because I wanted to celebrate the success of, Anand, with my family in Toronto,” says Yasmin.  By family she is referring to a group of friends who have supported the actress right from the beginning of her career. “There’s no celebration without them, especially during Diwali. It’s a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. I think the reason why, Anand, has been so well received is because it’s not a play about love and loss.  It’s a play about love and choice.  I chose light when writing, Anand, and light offered me love in return.”
Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) debuted at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver on November 6th and Yasmin’s final performance will commence exactly one year later, November 6th, at the Second City Training Centre (70 Peter St.) in Toronto at 8:00 PM.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Yasmin’s website.
Yasmin Virani Brings Bollywood Success to Broadway
New York, NY – “I’m someone who has struggled for success and to have found it with such a simple story like, Anand, where there’s no intricate lighting scheme or dramatic costumes.  No elaborate dance sequence or props.  If that’s not success, I don’t know what is,” says Virani.
Manhattan Theatre Source
Saturday, May 22nd @ 2:00 PM
Tickets: $15.00 (all proceeds will be donated to the people of Haiti)
Artist Profile: Yasmin Virani
1. Name: Yasmin Virani
2. Age: 30
3. Ethnicity: South Asian
4. Occupation and/or Company: Actor – Writer – Director
5. Years of experience: I’ve been performing ever since I was nine!
6. Next Performance: Right now, I’m on tour with my new play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness). “In this semi-autobiographical one-woman show, Yasmin Virani tells us her story of intimacy, vulnerability and sexual self – discovery.” Check out my website for a show near you!
7.What is the highlight of your performance?  The story.  It’s a very real story of a young woman trying to figure herself and her artistry out. For some, art is luxury, for others, a necessity. I mean, the play is ultimately a love story, but juxtaposing this are ideas of friendship, loyalty and emotional survival.
8. Future goals as an Artist:  Well, Anand, has been an extremely gratifying experience for me as an artist. To have people laugh with me, cry with me, essentially, live my experiences with me, has been quite extraordinary.  If I can continue to inspire and be inspired – that’s my goal; to experience more of myself and share my humanity with others.
South Asian Post | http://www.southasianpost.com
Standout Play Back In Vancouver
Vancouver, BC – After being coined, “Brilliant,” in Los Angeles, Haute Couture Theatre Company is bringing back the successful play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness), written by veteran actress and seasoned director, Yasmin Virani. Filled with music and laughter, this cross-cultural play is a coming of age story recounting a young woman’s personal journey into womanhood and how moving forward in an often cruel and harsh world can sometimes be challenging, but achievable. A positive message for the youth, Haute Couture Theatre Company is delighted to present, Anand, during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) plays at the YWCA Vancouver on Sunday, February 28th at 12:00 pm, for one day only. Tickets are $20.00 and include a gourmet Indian lunch (see website for details).
Link Newspaper | http://thelinkpaper.ca/?cat=23
Indo-Canadian Actress, Yasmin Virani, Redefines Bollywood in Hollywood
On Bollywood: “I love Bollywood movies as much as the next person, but I also think it’s important for the Indian diaspora to see ourselves on stage and as a culture, talk about the things that nobody ever talks about.”
Yasmin Virani brings her new play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) to The Second City Training Center, Friday, February 12th at The Second City Studio Theatre, 6560 Hollywood Blvd. (2nd Floor) at 9:30 PM/$15 (all proceeds will be donated to the people of Haiti).
Radio Canada International: The Link
Radio Interview with Carmel Kilkenny (sitting in for Marc Montgomery): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCaO2jyZmvw
StarBuzz Interviews Yasmin Virani
1. Where were you born and raised?  Canada. Born in Vancouver, but raised in Toronto.
2. How do you think the environment you were in and your surroundings shaped what you do now?  Well, I think being brought up in a South Asian family can be tough. In my household there was very little communication. As a family, we loved one another, but we didn’t really know each other. I was automatically drawn to the arts because it was an outlet for me. It was a way for me to express my thoughts and feelings, so becoming an artist was actually a natural progression for me.
3. What led you to realize this is what you wanted to do?  I remember the first time I ever went on stage. As a performer, I think there’s an awareness that happens. For me that was the defining the moment. The realization that I’m a part of something much bigger in the world.  Even as a child I felt that.
4. How do you think you are impacting the South Asian community?  The South Asian Arts community in Canada is actually quite small and being a minority community, I think it’s important that we represent ourselves in an honest manner. I have always done that with all of my work. In fact, I do more than honesty. I push boundaries and I think one sees the impact of their work after a show, when someone tells you that you have moved them or that they somehow see themselves differently – that’s real impact, because that’s change.
5. What are you currently working on?  I am actually going on tour this year with my one – woman show, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness). Be sure to check out my website for our Toronto dates!
6. What do you have in mind for the near future?  Well, after my tour, I will be working on my first Bollywood film which I am extremely nervous and excited about!
7. Career wise what is the one thing that has been very special to you?  Hmmm, this is tricky, but I would have to say my new play, Anand. I wrote it during a phase in my life when I was struggling with the idea of loss. Everyone has lost someone they love in life and I think it’s easier when you’re the one that who has got your heart broken in bargain, because to some extent, it’s easier to move on. But what happens when it is your fault and you are the person to blame? How do you move forward then? How do you forgive yourself? That’s what Anand is about and it’s semi – autobiographical! So it’s definitely special, because I am not sure if I will ever have the courage to be that honest again.
8. Do you have any particular project you have wanted to work on or be a part of?  So many … there are so many talented people in our industry! I’m a huge fan on Mira Nair – absolutely love and adore Mr. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s work, Vishal Bhardwaj, the list goes on and on!
Starbuzz | January 21st, 2010 | http://starbuzz-toronto.blogspot.ca
RJ1200: Gupshup
Radio interview with Shushma Dutt (begins at 01.29 seconds): http://frontrow.rj1200.com/_Gupshup-110309/audio/584441/81865.html
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