The Mahabharata is a Sanskrit epic — the story of a divided family whose conflict results in a catastrophic war that
nearly ends the world. It is over 4,000 years old with more than 100,000 verses that shape many of the myths and
philosophies of Indian culture. To this day, the stories are told in the kitchens and temples of more than 1 billion
people of India, as well as the diaspora around the world.
Incorporating two large-scale theatre works:
(Mahabharata: Karma [Part 1]
The Life We Inherit
King Janamejaya is holding a ritual sacrifice in which he will kill all the snakes in the world to avenge his father’s death.
In hopes of ending this cycle of revenge, a storyteller is summoned to tell the tale of the Mahabharata; beginning with the rival Pandava and Kaurava clans, and the choices that lead to their infamous Game of Dice. Through playful narration, with live music, the Ensemble tells the stories of humans struggling to build a just world in the face of competition, jealousy,
and rage.
Mahabharata: Dharma [Part 2]
The Life We Choose King Janamejaya is told of the war fought by his ancestors — its devastating destruction of the planet, the mass extinction that followed, and of the survivors left behind to rebuild. Using captivating projections, dynamic soundscapes, and poetic stage design, Part 2 includes a 15-minute Sanskrit opera adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita. King Janamejaya is confronted with the battle of Kurukshetra, and the battle inside his own heart.
Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors?
Why Not Theatre presents What You Won’t Do For Love, a hybrid live-theatre and film performance starring renowned environmentalists Drs. David Suzuki and Tara Cullis. Suzuki and Cullis reflect on their 50-year romantic relationship and their shared adventures and advocacy for the planet. This charming and conversational show asks, can we learn to love the planet as much as we love other people?
