Down to Earth: A Start Up Theatrically Imagines Going From Cupertino to Delhi Via the Earth’s Core
- Naatak’s play “Hole” elegantly balances complexity with accessibility, particularly for those who love math and physics, and can appreciate and understand the science, without feeling overwhelmed.
Naatak’s play “Hole,” written by Sujit Saraf, directed by Poulomi Sarkar, and produced by Pratiksha Rao, feels tailor-made for the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s intellectually ambitious, wildly imaginative, and deeply rooted in the startup mindset. The play takes us inside the minds of four brilliant startup founders who decide to attempt the unthinkable: drilling a hole through the Earth’s core to create a gravity-powered tunnel that could transport passengers from Cupertino, CA to Delhi, India, in just 42 minutes, bringing the centuries-old “gravity train” concept to life with wit and audacity.
In recent performance I saw, the four main entrepreneurs were played by Harshavardhana, Omkar Sali, Roshni Shah, and Rohit Sreedhar. Their stage presence, confidence, and ease with complex dialogue made it effortless to believe they were tech visionaries pitching this wild idea. Their delivery was sharp, authentic, and deeply engaging, giving life to both the technical and emotional stakes of the story.
Beyond the science and cultural humor, “Hole” smartly explores how such disruptive innovation could reshape politics and power structures.
What makes “Hole” truly special is how elegantly it balances complexity with accessibility. The mathematical theories, physics concepts, and step-by-step breakdown of challenges and possibilities are presented with remarkable clarity and creativity. Adults and kids alike, especially those who love math and physics, can appreciate and understand the science without feeling overwhelmed. All actors navigate dense technical material with such finesse that it never feels dry, always human and often hilarious. It’s not easy to deliver such complexities with such simplicity.
The cleverly designed sets depicting both the Bay Area and New Delhi drew giggles and laughter in unison from the audience, who could instantly relate to many of the playful references and cultural nods. These moments of recognition added warmth and delight, making the global concept feel grounded in experiences familiar to the Indian diaspora in the Bay Area.
Beyond the science and cultural humor, “Hole” smartly explores how such disruptive innovation could reshape politics and power structures. The innovative, visually striking sets and evocative and original musical score truly bring the whole creation to life. Much credit goes to the writer, director, actors, and the entire hardworking Naatak family for the countless hours spent co-creating this production, and for the meticulous attention to detail with which they brought this vision to life.
Presented during Naatak’s 30th season, a remarkable milestone, “Hole” is staged at the Starbright Theater, whose intimate setting made the experience deeply immersive. The 90 minutes flew by, as the audience felt fully swept into the journey, almost as if they too were traveling through the Earth’s core. “Hole” is not just a delight to watch; it is educational, humorous, thought-provoking, and perhaps most thrilling of all just believable enough to make you think, “what if?”
Upcoming shows run from Jan 30–Feb 1, Feb 6–Feb 8, and Feb 13–Feb 15. Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased at www.naatak.org.
Dr. Abha Soni is a young physician new to the Bay Area, who specializes in diagnosing skin diseases. Outside of work, she finds joy in sharing stories about her experiences and attending social and cultural events. She is also passionate about food, beauty/skincare, and travel blogging. Her artistic sensibilities find expression through visual art, music, and singing, which enrich her multifaceted life beyond medicine.