A Beat of Our Own Brings Competitive Bhangra to McCarter Theatre

New musical comedy A Beat of Our Own will make its debut at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey, from 7 to 25 October 2026, bringing the energy, colour and rhythm of competitive bhangra dance to the stage.

From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown, A Beat of Our Own is a brand-new musical comedy about friendship, identity, creativity and the power of finding common ground.

Set against the world of competitive bhangra, the story follows college teammates Mary and Preeti, whose dance team has just won the Michigan State Championships and is preparing for Nationals. Their ambitions, however, collide when Mary proposes incorporating a variety of Indian dance styles into their routine.

The disagreement ultimately splits the team. Determined to pursue her own vision, Mary sets out to create a new squad from scratch. There is just one problem: apart from her chaotic roommate Sunita, none of her recruits have any dance experience.

With help from a former Bollywood star, Mary attempts to transform the unlikely group of newcomers into serious competitors. Meanwhile, Preeti and her experienced bhangra team remain formidable rivals. The resulting clash promises plenty of humour, spectacular dance and a story about discovering where you belong.

The musical features a book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, with music and lyrics by Sam Willmott. Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima directs, with Rujuta Vaidya providing choreography and Tony Award nominee Jesse Robb responsible for musical staging.

The production also features an original electronic tabla collaboration with internationally acclaimed British Asian musician and composer Kuljit Bhamra, whose work has connected Indian musical traditions with contemporary music for more than four decades.

The principal cast includes Salena Qureshi as Mary, Tara Venkataraman as Preeti, Sushma Saha as Sunita, Rohit Gopal as Amit, Sohm Kapila as Rekha and J. Antonio Rodriguez as Billy, alongside a large ensemble. In total, the production features 18 actors and 10 musicians, making it McCarter Theatre's largest musical to date.

At its heart, A Beat of Our Own explores what happens when a community is fractured by competing ideas and personalities, and how music and dance can create a new sense of connection. The production promises to combine a contemporary musical-theatre score with the distinctive rhythms and movement of bhangra.

A Beat of Our Own runs at McCarter Theatre Center's Matthews Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton, New Jersey, from 7–25 October 2026. Performances include evening shows and weekend matinees, with additional post-show discussions and community events scheduled during the run.

With its large cast, live musicians and celebration of South Asian dance and culture, A Beat of Our Own represents an ambitious new addition to McCarter's 2026/27 season — and a musical bringing the vibrant world of competitive bhangra to an American theatre stage.