Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
22 Concord Lane Cambridge MA 02138
O f f i c e 6 1 7 . 8 7 1 . 6 7 6 4
Bianca Bagatourian
Dec 5, 2006
"ADAA/FOUNTAIN THEATRE PLAY READINGS A SMASH SUCCESS"
by Joan Agajanian Quinn
The inaugural Los Angeles play reading series sponsored by the
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) and the Fountain Theatre was
held at the Fountain on November 13-15, 2006, to sold-out crowds,
Armenian and non-Armenian alike.
Produced by Anahid Shahrik, the annual reading series is meant to
give voice to emerging Armenian playwrights, for plays about a
variety of themes. FOX TV news correspondent Anita Vogel emceed the
opening night and appeared throughout the series to galvanize support
for ADAA.
Each play of the series received a standing ovation, which is
extremely rare for readings.
The series opened brilliantly on Monday, November 13 with The Scent
of Jasmine, by Boston-based playwright Bianca Bagatourian. The play
is a Citizen-Kane type mystery about a young reporter intent upon
uncovering the truth about an Armenian immigrant who becomes one of
the richest men in America. Directed by Michael Arabian, the play
had an all-star cast, including Fountain Theatre regular (and ADAA
Board Member) Karen Kondazian, Magda Harout, Buck Kartalian, Sona
Tatoyan, and longtime TV favorite of the 60’s/70’s, Armenian actor
David Hedison. Also featured were Shant Bejanian, Karine Chakarian,
Maro Ajemian, Jack Kandel and Siona Yans.
On Tuesday, November 14 was The Blackstone Sessions, by San Diego
playwright/screenwriter Lisa Kirazian, directed by Ben Bradley. The
play is about the unlikely friendship between a reclusive old African
American civil rights activist/poet and her young, uneducated Italian
American summer housekeeper – and the secrets they uncover about
each other. The fantastic Iona Morris led the dynamic cast, along
with Tene Carter Miller, Danielle Holland, Jeris Poindexter, Anoush
NeVart, Bernard Addison, Ben Bradley, Bart Myer, Alex Kalognomos and
Sloane Robinson.
Push, by Los Angeles playwright Kristen Lazarian — a tense comedic
drama which has garnered awards nationwide — was the finale of the
series on Wednesday, November 15. The play explores contemporary
relationships in Los Angeles, complete with love, deceit, fidelity
and manipulation – a "doozy of a date night for married couples"
(San Diego Arts Online.) Push was directed by Martin Bedoian. The
outstanding cast included Emmy winner Michael Goorjian, Anahid
Shahrik, Richard Horvitz, Salli Saffioti, Karen Kondazian and Andrea
Ajemian.
The timing for the readings could not have been more perfect: the
Fountain Theatre had just won the L.A. Ovation Award for best
production of the year on Monday night (for August Wilson’s Joe
Turner’s Come and Gone). Director Ben Bradley also won an Ovation
for the same play.
Founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts only a year and a half ago, ADAA
has already become one of the most exciting and productive Armenian
arts organizations in years. By providing Armenian writers (or
writers about Armenian themes) opportunities for readings, production
or publication, ADAA makes the Armenian voice heard around the
world. For more information, visit , email
[email protected] or call 617-871-6764.
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