A Beat of Our Own – Makes a Cultural Connection

Oct 23, 2026 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susie Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

A Beat of Our Own, an original musical comedy about competitive bhangra dance, will be playing at the McCarter Theatre Center until October 25.  The show opens with a high-energy Indian dance as the final team competes in the bhangra dance at the Michigan State Championships. The performance is exuberant, with fast-paced dance numbers, vibrant costumes, and traditional Indian music. It is an introduction to Indian culture, and a reminder to focus on what we have in common.

Written by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, this lighthearted comedy deals with cultural identity and a rivalry that evolves into friendship. With music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, which weave together South Asian and American influences. It is a feel-good production, an enjoyable evening watching talented performers dancing the bhangra, the excitement of the competition, and the drama as the dance troupe struggles to prepare for Nationals.

A Beat of Our Own is McCarter Theatre’s largest musical to date, with 18 actors and 10 musicians, filling the theater with the flavor of India, music, and dance. It is family-friendly entertainment, upbeat and spirited, with an underlying message of acceptance and community.

Plot Summary

East Lansing University has advanced to the national bhangra competition, but needs to create a new routine for nationals, and the team is divided on what direction to take. Mary, a senior (Salena Qureshi), suggests infusing traditional dance, while Preeti, a sophomore (Tara Venkataraman), wants to stick to the Punjabi’s stylistic roots, claiming to be an expert, and citing her family vacations in Chandigarh, Punjab.  Team captain, Amit (Rohit Gopal), avoids conflict, allowing Pretti to become the ‘consultant,’ reframing their entire routine, and forcing Mary out, by invalidating her ability.

Mary and her roommate Sunita (Sushma Saha) form a rival, multi-racial bhangra team of inexperienced dancers with heart and the desire to learn. They bring in a coach, Rekha (Sohm Kapila), a former Bollywood star, who runs a Samosa Hut, and teaches the team the movements Karate Kid style, working in her kitchen.

A Taste of Indian Culture

Bhangra is a high-energy, traditional folk dance that originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It historically celebrated the harvest, but there are no ethnic requirements to participate in the dance. Mary and Sunita create a group that unites the ‘unconnected’ students, even a widowed professor who is looking for a place to belong. They give each person a platform to express him/herself, combining ballroom dance, Indian classical Kathak, Bollywood, hip-hop, and modern contemporary dance into a fun performance. They discover the true essence of bhangra is based on community and having fun rather than focusing on perfection.

Indian dance is complex, and so is the Hindi language. Mary had focused on the past, quoting her late mother’s motto “Kal Mein Isq Talaash Kare,” interpreting it to mean “Seek love in yesterday”. We come to learn that the word Kal means “one day away from today,” which translates to both yesterday and tomorrow. Her mother was encouraging her to step out of the past, embrace creative risk, and look forward and ‘seek love in tomorrow.”

Every performer was a stand-out, bringing amazing vocals and dance to the McCarter stage. The show ends with a big finale, which blends traditional dhol beats (a traditional double-headed barrel drum used in South Asian folk music) with hip-hop, which symbolizes the combination of cultures and backgrounds. It allows each person to recognize their individuality with a “beat of their own.” We enjoyed the exuberance of dance in a theater bathed in color, music, streamers, and smiles.