La MaMa Blogs: June 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017

First Look: 1917-2017: Tychyna, Zhadan and The Dogs















All photos by Theo Cote

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La MaMa and Yara Arts Group present

1917-2017: 
Tychyna, 
Zhadan 
and The Dogs

By Yara Arts Group
Directed by Virlana Tkacz
USA Premiere

What happens when society crumbles? A reminder to reflect of our past as we contemplate our ways forward. A show filled with music and poetry transformed into scenes, action and projections. Is there a ray of hope? Based on poetry by Pavlo Tychyna, by Serhiy Zhadan and songs from rock group Zhadan & the Dogs with poems by Bob Holman based on Zhadan's poetry and On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

June 9 - 25, 2017

Thursday - Saturday at 8:30PM; Sunday at 4PM

Ellen Stewart Theatre
66 East 4th Street\
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors

For Tickets & Info: CLICK HERE


Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Notes on My Heart is in the East by Jessica Litwak

My heart is in the East
But the rest of me far in the West-
   Yehuda Halevi (1090)

Now hear this mixture,
Where hip-hop meets scripture
And develop the negative into a positive picture
            Lauren Hill (1999)


I hope you’ll join us for this first full production of My Heart is in the East. This play is the culmination of years of field-work, personal exploration, historical research and theatrical development. It is an expression of my heart-felt theory about theatre (and poetry) as a vehicle for change.  In the spirit of the piece I hope you will stay with us through the poetry contest to the most important part of the evening: a short community discussion about the issues the play explores.


My Heart is in the East is a duet between two poets (a Muslim man and a Jewish woman) in two centuries (The 21st and the 11th). We cross time, gender, race, religion and language to bridge the conflicts between them. Will violence, suspicion, and fear stop cultural exchange and destroy a unique and unlikely friendship? Or will poetry, humanity, love and humor win out?



It’s our earnest desire that you will be part of this movement to bridge cultures and advocate for peace.

Some history: The play also exists as chapter four of my doctoral dissertation: My Heart Is in thE East:Exploring Theater as a Vehicle For Change, Inspired by the Poetic Performances of Ancient AndalucĂ­a. La MaMa has been involved every step of the way, including hosting my dissertation defense, which happened right at Culture Hub with committee members joining via telepresence. We did a workshop production at The Club in 2015, and had subsequent readings both at La MaMa Umbria and at Great Jones Studios.



Like all plays it was developed with so much help and input from others along the way, all of whom I am deeply grateful for. Thank you especially to my dear La MaMa family for giving this project a home. This performance is dedicated to the spirit of Ellen Stewart who pushed me towards the East in this very building many, many years ago, and to my two biggest inspirations Sophie and Emma Weinstein who make the journey worthwhile.

Jessica Litwak, My Heart is in the East

Photos by Carolina Restrepo 
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La MaMa presents
My Heart 
is in 
the East
by Jessica Litwak
directed by Jen Wineman

June 8, 2017 - June 25, 2017
Thursday to Saturday at 7PM; Sunday at 2:30PM


The Downstairs @ La MaMa
66 East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors 

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Reviews Are In For Miss Julia


"Miss Julia is an exciting and watchable 75 minutes...Strindberg's macho-man version of economic justice undoubtedly has resonance in modern Latin America, which seems trapped between vulture capitalism and chauvinistic Bolivarian socialism. Vueltas Bravas Producciones never bangs us over the head with this connection, but seductively invites us to make it on our own."  Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania
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"a refreshing and unique entry into the New York theater landscape." David Gruber, TheaterLife

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Photos by Theo Cote
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La MaMa presents


by August Strindberg, Adapted by J. Ed Araiza
Directed by Lorenzo Montanini 
Featuring John Alex Toro, Tina Mitchell and Gina Jaimes
Music by violinist Helen Yee and percussionist Martin Vejarano


June 8 - June 25, 2017
Thursday - Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2pm 

The First Floor Theatre at La MaMa
74A East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003 


Tickets: $20 Adults; $15 Students/Seniors 

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Behind The Scenes at MY HEART IS IN THE EAST

 

Videos by Theo Cote

Jessica Litwak's My Heart is in the East opens Thursday in The Downstairs @ La MaMa.  
Inspired by Ancient CordobaMy Heart is in the East is a duet between a Jewish American woman and an Iraqi Muslim man. Bound together by circumstance, these two people from such different walks of life confront their insecurities, fears, and desires. Exploring these tensions through puppetry and poetry, the play is a humorous, passionate and poetic exploration of history as a model for peace building. 
Each performance will be followed by on opportunity for the audience to try their hand at poetry composition and a dynamic guided discussion about interfaith issues, featuring noted scholars, journalists, and cultural and civic leaders.
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La MaMa presents
My Heart 
is in 
the East
by Jessica Litwak
directed by Jen Wineman

June 8, 2017 - June 25, 2017
Thursday to Saturday at 7PM; Sunday at 2:30PM


The Downstairs @ La MaMa
66 East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Video Preview: MISS JULIA

 
Video edited by Theo Cote

In rural Colombia on Midsummer Eve, Miss Julia and her servant Juan have a forbidden encounter. As Juan tries to rise from his servile life, Miss Julia tries to escape the bonds of her meaningless upper-class existence.The resulting power play of love, lust and class struggle becomes a dangerous battle that veers violently out of control. This bilingual production, performed in English and Spanish, is a clash of cultures, a dance of death combining combining powerful physicality, naturalistic text and live music making Strindberg’s text as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. A  Vueltas Bravas Production.

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La MaMa presents


by August Strindberg, Adapted by J. Ed Araiza
Directed by Lorenzo Montanini 
Featuring John Alex Toro, Tina Mitchell and Gina Jaimes
Music by violinist Helen Yee and percussionist Martin Vejarano


June 8 - June 25, 2017
Thursday - Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2pm

The First Floor Theatre at La MaMa
74A East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003


Tickets: $20 Adults; $15 Students/Seniors

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE