In the age of commercial theater, MAD Playhouse truly exemplifies its theme “Making a Difference” by promoting classic and contemporary literature, nurturing international artists, blending art across different cultures, and increasing awareness by touching the hearts through the most powerful expression — traditional theater.
Housed in off-broadway, where great talent continues to born and thrive, MAD premiered its first Indian play Sakharam Binder in June at the Theater district of New York City. MAD is a brainchild of Samir and Ashok — stage and screen pros. After years of brainstorming they created the company in Jan 2013 with a view of theatrically promoting the rich and profound Indian playwriting in NYC by staging new shows after every couple of months.
Their first play, Sakharam Binder is a frightening and riveting masterpiece written by India's foremost playwriter Vijay Tendulkar (Tendulkar wrote screenplays for the movies Nishant (1974), Akrosh (The Cry) (1980) and Ardh Satya). Originally written in Marathi, it’s based on a book binder who, standing by his own subversive moral code, gives shelter to castoff and homeless women expecting servitude and sexual favors in return. Banned in India and later staged successfully in New York almost a decade ago, MAD plans to revive this controversial play that is a testament to the invincible strength we muster in adversity and ferocity to strive for a better life.