"I laughed and cried and rooted for the Warriors!"
"The songs have been stuck in my head for weeks!"
"I have 'Maddening As You' stuck in my head right now, I absolutely loved it!"
Chalo! A Soccer Musical is a pop musical with book, music and lyrics by Reva Sangal and Avery Powers
It follows the story of Asha Gupta, a young Indian-American girl, balancing a double life. Asha wants to appease her mother's wish for a doctor daughter, while secretly pursuing her own dream of playing soccer professionally.
Throughout high school, Asha has been working her way up the varsity soccer team. Now, in her senior year, she is finally ready for the coveted D1 scholarship. Asha hopes that acquiring the top scholarship would change her mother's tune.
Unfortunately for our Asha, everything changes when soccer superstar and senior transfer, Nikki Shay, joins the team.
Chalo! A Soccer Musical first came to life as a class assignment. Simple: write a song about two rivals.
This concept became a full-fledged enemies-to-lovers, sapphic and Indian American musical when our writers Reva Sangal and Avery Powers joined forces in 2023. Soon after, in the spring of 2024, Chalo! received its first workshop at Northwestern University.
Since then, Chalo! has continued its development with the support of Pop Up! Productions and Token Theatre. This partnership yielded a musical cabaret, and a staged-reading hosted in Chicago's very own Goodman Theatre, during the summer of 2025.
In February 2026, continuing our partnership with Pop Up! Productions and with the support of the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), we hosted two-weekends of staged-reading fun at the landmark Chicago Cultural Center.
With your support, we will soon be able to have a full-production.
Our sound is built on a contemporary pop foundation. From the games to the co-captains' feud, and Asha's deception, you can expect songs that are energetic and catchy.
On the field, our songs bring the world of the soccer stadium directly to the theatre, and solo moments that let each character's flair shine through.
Off the field, the soundtrack's range comes to life. You will find a pop-punk sound in "Maddening As You," Bollywood influences in "Boiling Over", and dramatic ballads through which both Mom and Asha voice their struggles.
With such a wide range of influences, Chalo! brings something for everyone.
Included is Maddening As You, performed by Nithya Malempati (Asha) and Maya Avery (Nikki).
"A much-needed story showcasing the identity and family issues of Indian Americans in their teenage years"
"Actually unreal show, what a blast!"
"An important piece of representation: for Indian Americans, for queer girls, for teen girls."
If you're interested in learning more about the show, joining our creative team, or producing the show, please contact: