Yasmin Virani Shines During Festival of Lights
 After performing in Vancouver, Los Angeles, during the 2010 Winter Olympics and on Broadway, Yasmin Virani gets ready to close the North American tour of her successful one-woman play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness), by performing her last show in Toronto, during the time of Diwali, otherwise known as the, “Festival of Lights.” “I deliberately chose Toronto as the last stop on the tour because I wanted to celebrate the success of Anand with my family in Toronto,” says Yasmin. By family, she is referring to a group of friends who have supported the actress right from the beginning of her career. “There’s no celebration without them, especially during Diwali. It’s a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. I think the reason why Anand has been so well received is because it’s not a play about love and loss; it’s a play about love and choice. I chose light when writing Anand and light offered me love in return.” Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) debuted at the Roundhouse Community Centre, in Vancouver, on November 6th and Yasmin’s final performance will commence exactly one year later, on November 6th, at the Second City Training Centre (70 Peter St.), in Toronto, at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Yasmin's website.
Indo-Canadian Actress, Yasmin Virani, Redefines Bollywood
In this semi-autobiographical one woman show; Yasmin Virani tells us a story of  intimacy, vulnerability, and sexual self-discovery. Filled with music and laughter, this cross cultural play is more than just a coming of age story. On Bollywood: “Don’t get me wrong, I love Bollywood movies as much as the next person, but unfortunately, they don’t tell my story. It’s important for the Indian diaspora to see ourselves on stage and as a culture, talk about the things that nobody ever talks about.” Yasmin Virani brings her new play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) to The Second City Training Center during South Asian Month in Toronto. The show plays for one night only on Saturday, May 29th at 8:00 PM Tickets $15.00
Yasmin Virani Brings Bollywood Success to Broadway
 "You know, I am someone who has struggled for success and to have found it on such a large scale and that also with a play like Anand, where there's no intricate lighting scheme, no dramatic costumes, no elaborate dance sequence, no props. There is nothing for me, as Yasmin Virani, the actor, to hide behind. I tell you a story and you either like it or you don't and that's why Anand is such a huge success, because people not only like the story, they love it. They not only love the play, they want to see it again. They not only want to see it again, but they want to bring their husbands or wives to see it. They not only want to bring their husbands or wives to see it, they want to tell me how much I have moved, changed or inspired them. I've taken a simple story and have managed to make it universal. If that's not success, I don't know what is," says Virani. What people are saying ... "I can't get this play and story out of my mind. Yasmin is simply wonderful!" Catherine/Vancouver Show "If you love Eve Ensler or Margaret Cho; you'll love Yasmin Virani!" Zambia/Los Angeles Show" "An honest delivery comes across most times in my experience as labored, but Yasmin Virani was right beside me and she made it look effortless!" Michael/Vancouver 2010 Olympics Show Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) plays the Manhattan Theatre Source on Saturday, May 22nd @ 2:00 PM Tickets: $15.00 (all proceeds will be donated to the people of Haiti)
Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Artist Profile: Yasmin Virani
 1. Name: Yasmin Virani 2. Age: 30 3. Ethnicity: South Asian 4. Occupation and/or Company: Actor - Writer - Director 5. Years of experience: I’ve been performing ever since I was nine! 6. Next Performance: Right now, I’m on tour with my new play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness). “In this semi-autobiographical one-woman show, Yasmin Virani tells us her story of intimacy, vulnerability and sexual self-discovery.” Check out my website for a show near you! 7.What is the highlight of your performance? The story. It’s a very real story of a young woman trying to figure herself and her artistry out. For some art is luxury, for others, a necessity. I mean, the play is ultimately a love story, but juxtaposing this are ideas of friendship, loyalty and emotional survival. 8. Future goals as an Artist: Well, Anand, has been an extremely gratifying experience for me as an artist. To have people laugh with me, cry with me, essentially live my experiences with me, has been quite extraordinary. If I can continue to inspire and be inspired - that’s my goal; to experience more of myself and share my humanity with others.
Indo-Canadian Actress, Yasmin Virani, Welcomes Olympic Athletes
 (Vancouver, BC) Haute Couture Theatre Company presents Anand (bliss, peace, happiness), written by veteran actress and seasoned director, Yasmin Virani. Filled with music and laughter, this cross-cultural play is a coming of age story, recounting a young woman’s personal journey into womanhood and how moving forward in an often cruel and harsh world can sometimes be challenging, but achievable. A positive message for the youth, the company has decided to bring back the widely successful play during this year’s winter Olympics, being held in Vancouver, Canada. “It’s a time of great pride for our country. What makes Canada so unique, I think, is our diversity and these athletes are an inspiration to us all,” said Ms. Virani. Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) plays at the YWCA Vancouver on Sunday, February 28th at 12:00 PM, for one day only. Tickets are $20.00 and include a gourmet Indian lunch (see website for details). Please visit: http://www.yasminvirani.com or call the Haute Couture Box Office at: 1+ 604 351 - 9230. See Twitter/Facebook for updates about the show.
Standout Play Anand Back In Vancouver
 (Vancouver, BC) After being coined, “Brilliant,” in Los Angeles, Haute Couture Theatre Company is bringing back the wildly successful play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness), written by veteran actress and seasoned director, Yasmin Virani. Filled with music and laughter, this cross-cultural play is a coming of age story, recounting a young woman’s personal journey into womanhood and how moving forward in an often cruel and harsh world can sometimes be challenging, but achievable. A positive message for the youth, Haute Couture Theatre Company is delighted to present Anand during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Anand (bliss, peace, happiness) plays at the YWCA Vancouver on Sunday, February 28th at 12:00 pm, for one day only. Tickets are $20.00 and includes a gourmet Indian lunch (see website for details). For more information visit: http://www.yasminvirani.com/ or call the Haute Couture Box Office at: 1+ 604 - 351 - 9230 for more information. See Twitter/Facebook for updates about the show.
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After performing in Vancouver, Los Angeles, during the 2010 Winter Olympics and on Broadway, Yasmin Virani gets ready to close the North American tour of her successful one-woman play, Anand (bliss, peace, happiness), by performing her last show in Toronto, during the time of Diwali, otherwise known as the, “Festival of Lights.”
