Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical

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By Kathy Carpenter

Austin Colby as Roger and Shoba Narayan as Simran in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, 2022, Photo by Jim Cox

The Old Globe Theatre presents the world premiere of “Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical.” The Musical is a contemporary romance for a new age presented in association with Yash Raj Films. With Book and Lyrics by Nell Benjamin, Direction by Aditya Chopra, Choreography by Rob Ashford, and associate choreographer, of Indian dances, Struti Merchant, working together, they create magic. The music is by Vishal Dadlani with music orchestrations, and arrangements, by David Holcenberg. It is “Magnetic, Old Fashioned Romance – meets Energized Fun.”

(from left) Irvine Iqbal as Baldev, Shoba Narayan as Simran, and Rupal Pujara as Lajjo in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, 2022. Photo by Jim Cox.

I love old-fashioned musical romances, ala Fred Astaire, and Gingers Rogers stories. Come fall in Love, gives us the same innocent romantic moments, yet is definitely a modern day diverse romance. It is filled with fun, family, glorious-colorful Indian dances, and music. Funny and wondrous, it is sure to become a Broadway smash. The audience loved the show.

It is a simple story of a rich-partying-Boston-College-boy, Rog, who meets a hard-working, play by the rules, Indian girl, Simran, whom he proceeds to get thrown in jail.

After graduation Simran intends to spend a month traveling Europe before she goes to India for her arranged marriage. When Cookie, the friend, Simran is traveling with, invites her boyfriend, to travel with them, Rog, comes with the package. Simran doesn’t find out until they meet in London, when it is too late to do anything about it.

Simran has everything mapped out, all the spots she wants to see. The others just want to have fun. But, with compromises and being thrown together, Rog and Simran, fall in love along the way.

The second half of the story is trying to win over Simran’s father so Rog and Simran can marry. This takes place in India in the household of Simran’s intended, making for an interesting second half.

The actors give award-winning performances with nominations sure to come. Playing Rog, the spoiled rich boy, is Austin Colby. Who wouldn’t fall for this guy? This dream boat, can act, dance and sing. Simran, is played by Shoba Narayan, who is beautiful and relatable. Simran’s father is a huge part of her story, and is masterfully played by Irvine Iqbal. He starts the musical off with a powerful performance of “So Far,” which is an indication of the amazing music to come. Simran’s Mom, is played by Rupal Pujara, the perfect respectful Indian wife. Kuljit, the arranged marriage man, is played by the audience favorite, Kinshuk Sen, while Kuljit’s father, is played by Vishal Vaidya. Cookie, Simran’s blond friend, is played by Hannah Jewel Kohn. Her man Ben, is played by Juice Mackins. This is an epic cast, with an ensemble that rocks. The dancing alone could make the show.

Beautiful music, energetic dancing, and colorful costumes are sure fire wins. This is the show of the season. Be among the first to see this soon to be classic.