Musical Monsoon

We’ve seen it all. Grease, Legally Blonde, Spamalot. It’s not the first time a film as inspired a stage adaptation. But none of them have any…. masala.

On the heels of Shilpa Shetty’s Miss Bollywood, along with The Merchants of Bollywood and Bollywood Dreams, comes another desi-centric musical and the first of its kind.

For the first time a desi film will be adapted for the theater. The movie? The 2001 Mira Nair hit, Monsoon Wedding. The musical will be directed by Nair herself and produced by the same group who brought us the Broadway smash Hairspray. Although the director is keeping the cast on the DL, she does confirm that two of the original stars will be in the musical.

Next up for the uber-talented director? Shantaram, a film about an escaped Australian convict who makes a new life for himself in the slums of Mumbai. Lucky for us, this cast for this project is not on the down low. The stellar cast includes Johnny Depp (yeah!), Amitabh Bachchan, and Helena Bonham Carter.

And maybe one day Shantaram will be a musical. Johnny Depp on stage? Now that’s a play we’d like to see.

For more Mira Nair news, check out her website www.mirabaifilms.com

Go Go Goa

Demanding parents, screaming kids, and nosy aunties. A bona fide recipe for another stressful holiday season. Busy bee that you are, you’re going to need a relaxing getaway.

So how about a super secret beach separated from the mainland by a bamboo bridge, your own private villa, and blue water for miles? If that doesn’t sound like a dream you need to get your pulse checked.

Welcome to Elsewhere, a beautiful Goanese estate owned by local photographer Denzil Sequiera. Elsewhere has been in Sequeira’s family since 1886, when his great grandfather Anjelo Sequeira bought the property for a mere Rs. 2000.

The property was transformed when Denzil decided to renovate the property and rent the houses out to the public. Now you can enjoy cooking fresh fish over the fire, listening to the birds or watch a turtle hatching. Lest you think all this is a little too granola for you, rest assured there is a cook available to prepare all meals, a yoga instructor, and a car with driver if you’re so inclined.

Rates range from $1200 per week for a tent to $2400 for a two bedroom villa. Elsewhere is so secret that they won’t give you the address until you confirm a booking. Hmm, bet that nosy auntie won’t find you here.

Who said Goa is just for hippies? Calgon take me away!!!

Elsewhere. For reservations email gaze@aseaescape.com www.aseaescape.com

A Small Package

Good things come in small packages, as the saying goes. Diamonds, rubies, sapphires to count a few. Or maybe they were talking about Graffiti, the recently opened hotspot by Jehangir Mehta.

Although he came from a family of accountants, he followed his passion for food at a young age, eventually studying at the Culinary Institute of America. He went on to hone his skills as a pastry chef at some of the hottest restaurants in New York including Jean-Georges, as well as Vong, Aix, and Sapa. The Bombay bred chef later created the uber delicious Partistry featuring handmade chocolates and teas.

With Graffiti the restaurant, (which by the way is the size of a Manhattan apartment) takes cues from Mehta's flair for edgy creative food and witty sense of humor. Case in point? Watermelon feta salad with mint sorbet, mustard soup, and hot chocolate sprinkled with pop rocks on the menu. Neon colored whisks serve as napkin holders and a handbag featuring a peeping tom is used to point the way to the ladies room.

Introverts be aware. The super tiny restaurant only seats 18 people and seating is communal. Which means your date just might turn into a double date after you're seated.

Menage a trois anyone?

Graffiti, 224 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10003. Tel: 212 677 0695. www.graffitinyc.com Keep posted for Mehta's upcoming book Mantra hitting shelves Spring 08.