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PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company Scores Big Success with Carlo Goldoni’s
"The Venetian Twins"
On the occasion of the AGBU centennial and the three hundredth
anniversary of the birth of the renowned Venetian satirist Carlo Goldoni
(1707-1793), the AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company gave 10 warmly received
performances of the latter’s slapstick comedy "The Venetian Twins."
Under the direction of Krikor Satamian, Ardavazt performed at the AGBU
Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena between September 8 and October 7, at
the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Fresno on October 14, and finally in
Orange County on October 21.
This two-act play, which was rendered into Armenian by director
Satamian, is about identical twins, separated at birth, who arrive in
Verona on business. While there, a case of mistaken identity results in
comedic chaos that includes duels, betrayals, quarrels, arrests, a chest
of stolen jewels and a death from poisoned wine.
There were two factors distinguishing "The Venetian Twins" from the
group’s previous productions: one, the absence of Ardavazt’s founder and
director Krikor Satamian in a performing role, and two, the predominance
of young performers in the cast, many of whom have graduated from Los
Angeles-area Armenian schools, particularly AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian
School. "This bold undertaking," writes Sarkis H. Minassian in "Nor Or"
(September 22, 2007), "is a supreme accomplishment for Ardavazt Theater
Company and, especially, its veteran director Krikor Satamian. The most
significant interpretation of such a reality is that…[AGBU] believes
in the talents of our youth, the preservation of their identity and
their ability to express themselves in Armenian."
Minassian goes on to say:
"During the performance on Sunday evening, September 9, Ari Libaridian
displayed the high quality of his acting talent, appearing alternately
as Zanetto and Tonino, the Venetian twins with opposite personalities.
The successful acting of Aram Mouradian (Pancrazio) on a professional
level was obvious.
Maria Shakelian (Colombina), Maral Kojayan (Beatrice) and Narine Avakian
(Rosaura) created original and convincing roles with their smooth and
self-confident acting. Particularly in the cases of A. Libaridian, N.
Avakian and A. Kurian, and in the style of Comedia del Arte, the
director sometimes gave them license, indirectly encouraging them to
make certain spontaneous theatrical gestures, voice undulations and
expressive facial contortions."
During the Pasadena run of "The Venetian Twins," a gala banquet was held
in the aforementioned center’s Boyajian Hall. Samuel Ilanjian, chairman
of the Ardavazt Theater Company’s executive committee, thanked the AGBU
Central Board of Directors and the AGBU Southern California District
Committee for their financial and moral support; veteran actor and
director Krikor Satamian; talented artist and sculptor Emil Kazaz for
making the poster of "The Venetian Twins"; Raffi Bo for painting the
sets; and Anoush Najarian, hairdresser.
Krikor Satamian, in turn, thanked the technical crew: stage directors
Maro Ajemian and Roupen Harmandayan; Arpie Emirzian, in charge of stage
props; Anahid Harmandayan, in charge of wardrobe; Raffi Kalamkarian, in
charge of lights and sounds; Serge Navian and Hratch Ajemian, for set
construction; Marina Messerlian, stage assistant; and Jenny Kiljian,
administrative liaison.
Los Angeles-area theatergoers can now look forward to Ardavazt’s
presentation of Dikran Tchukhadjian’s third operetta, "Zemire," in March
2008, in conjunction with the Lark Musical Society directed by Vatsche
Barsoumian.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians around the world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
