VIVA PATSHIVA

A clan of Roma musicians and dancers have settled in a seedy section of Brooklyn. The man who smuggled them into the US is demanding payment, and their only hope lies in a romance between a sizzling exotic dancer and a wealthy motivational speaker who is infatuated with her. The plot hinges on the moody Gypsy dancer who lives at the speed of emotion. When she actually falls for the American, the cross-cultural affair becomes a matter of life and death.

The lead roles are a powerhouse of vocal dexterity. The Israeli singer and comedienne Chemda (“Conjure One,” Keithandthegirl.com) and the heavy metal singer Ray West (“Spread Eagle”) are matched note for note by the soulful wail of Raven Solano and Lauren Hennessy. The highly athletic Gypsy choreography is by Aaron Haskell and Andrea Kalan.

Viva Patshiva is a seriously hilarious musical that explores themes of love, trust and triumphing over sadness through a time-honored ritual. The Interart Annex has been transformed into an underground party space where anything can happen. The evocative costumes are by Polina Roytman, the moody lighting is by Solomon Weisbard, and Paul Ruest’s sound design highlights the band’s ebullient sound.