NEW YORK: A habitual slacker, an over the hill but young at heart patriarch, an absentminded doctor, a hounding money lender, a magnanimous king and his suppliant followers form the key characters of "Honeymoon couple," a hilarious play that was staged at the New Jersey Tamil Sangam's Tamil New Year's celebrations at Somerville High School last week. "Honeymoon couple" is an original creation of noted writer-comedian Crazy Mohan known for his pithy dialogues and wit-filled scripts based on puns. The players, however, were local artists from Stage Friends, USA Productions, now in its seventh successful year of production. For Ramani a.k.a stage Ramani, the director of the play, who also plays the central character of a compulsive gambler, the show was a clear winner that evening. Ramani was one of the founders of the now successful Crazy Creations along with Crazy Mohan some two decades ago in Chennai. 'Kathadi' Ramamurthy, the well-known humorist and director of super hit plays graced the occasion as a chief guest. He had flown specially from Houston to encourage the local artists and commended them for staging an excellent show. Indeed, the laugh riot presentation from Stage Friends ensured that the audiences's spirits weren't dampened by the wet and soggy weather that prevailed the whole day. At the end, one was left with the feeling that the adaptation came across equal if not better than the original. Earlier, the program commenced with the release of popular singer Anitha Krishna's debut devotional album "Samarpanam." The first album was received by T.V. Krishna, president of the Carnatic Music Association of North America, an organization that encourages and supports classical music concerts of professionals from India. Stage Ramani received the second copy followed by Anandhi Venkat, president of the Sangam. As part of the release, Anitha rendered a song from the album. Anitha, who has her moorings in Carnatic music is equally adept at light music and has been entertaining music lovers across the United States. New York Raja's entrancing music, Kavi Varman's profound lyrics and Anitha's rich voice have made every song a treat to the ears. The talented trio, with their sound classical background, has produced a good album worthy of praise. The album has twelve enchanting melodies on 12 different Hindu deities, composed in light classical style, in 12 different raagas. The first song on Lord Ganesha is a brisk rendition in Hamsadvani followed by an enthralling melody in Reethigowla. In this composition on Goddess Saraswati, the strains of the veena ring in one's ears for a long time after listening. The blend of Sama in the charanam of the composition on Lord Venkateshwara set in Asaveri is a captivating piece. The song on Lord Shiva is appropriately in Revathi as a talamalika. The song on Lord Krishna tuned in kollatam style, with the chorus adding a folkish flavor would be perfect for a group dance.