Press Release – The Madman and the Nun

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Sep 122011
 
MadmanNun_Flyer_web

The Ambassador Theater is delighted to present The Madman and the Nun or, There is Nothing Bad Which Could Not Turn into Something Worse by Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz (aka Witkacy), a short play in three acts and four scenes.    

The Madman and the Nun

Translated by Daniel Gerould

Directed and Produced by Hanna Bondarewska

Set Designed by Daniel Pinha

Costumes by Jen Bevan

Sound and Visual Effects by David Crandall

Lights by Marianne Meadows

Assistant Director James Randle

Stage Manager Adam Adkins

Featuring: John Stange as Alexander Walpurg; Jenny Donovan as Sister Anna; Mary Suib as Sister Barbara, Ivan Zizek as Dr. Jan Bidello; David Berkenbilt as Dr. Ephraim Grűn; Ray Converse as Professor Ernest Walldorff; Jen Bevan and James Randle as Attendants

WHERE:

Mead Theater Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G Street NW, Washington DC

Nov. 29 – Dec. 18, 2011

TICKETS: $30 Gen. Adm.

Students & Senior Citizens $20

On line: http://www.aticc.org/home/box-office or at the door

Media: Please e-mail or call to reserve your seats

WHEN:  November 29 – December 18, 2011

Previews: November 29, 30 at 8 p.m.

Opening: December 1, 2011, 8 PM

Thursdays, Fridays, 8 PM

Saturdays, 2 PM and 8 PM

Sundays, 2 PM and 7:30 PM

The Madman and the Nun is set entirely in a “cell for raving maniacs” in a lunatic asylum, where we meet the madman of the title, the poet Alexander Walpurg, who has been confined here with acute dementia praecox.  We are part of a scientific experiment lead by Dr. Grun and his Freudian preconception of curing the patient with the help of Sister Anna, a nun. The author flamboyantly turns everything and everybody into the confusion between the sanity and madness. The play is a strikingly funny attack on both medicine and academia and man’s futile attempt to control the “demons” of existence. Stanislaw Witkiewicz (1885-1939) was a Polish playwright, novelist, painter, photographer and philosopher. “He created a theater of the absurd twenty years before Beckett, Ionesco, and Genet. He himself was a living model of the avant-garde, advancing the frontiers of drama, fiction, aesthetics, philosophy and painting.” Daniel Gerould

 

Press Release-Called up to Life

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Jun 132011
 

Ambassador Theate­­­­­r Presents

Called Up To Life:

Legends of the Baal Shem Tov

A new musical blending the sounds of klezmer,

Yiddish theater and Hasidic story telling.

 

Alexandria, VA –  On  June 21 at 7:30 pm at the Lyceum,  Ambassador Theatre will present a staged reading of the musical  Called Up To Life: Legends of the Baal Shem Tov by local playwright Art Levine, directed by Tom Mallan.

Called Up To Life reveals a culture that once flourished in Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, and the Ukraine.  The Jews of Eastern Europe both absorbed and imparted cultural traditions with the people of those nations for more than a thousand years.  The resulting cultural mix left an indelible mark on Eastern European and World civilization.

In the 1700’s the movement known as Pietism swept the peoples of Europe, and European Jews were no exception.  Called Up To Life tells this grand story through one night in the life of a single Jewish family in 1782 Italy.  Opening their home to a wandering stranger, the chance encounter proves thrilling as they discover his surprising origins, and his link to their own past, present and future.  Woven in song through this personal story are folk tales and legends that grew up around the Baal Shem Tov, a wonder-working rabbi who rose from obscurity to lead a religious revival.

Ambassador Theater believes that by illuminating the world’s cultures through drama, it is possible to bring peace and understanding.   As part of Ambassador Theater’s New Works series, Artistic Director Hanna Bondarewska has been working with local playwright Art Levine to develop this innovative multidisciplinary piece of theater.  This staged reading lets the company put our work before the public and gives the public a glimpse of a work in progress.

Featuring: Gia Mora, Barbara Papendorp, Cyle Durkee, Scott Sedar and Stas Wronka

WHERE:

The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum

201 South Washington Street

Alexandria VA 22314

TO RESERVE TICKETS: Suggested donation $25

On line: www.aticc.org or at the door

Media: Please e-mail or call to reserve your seats

WHEN:  Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Discussion and Wine Reception follows

 

Casting Call for Called up to Life

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Jun 022011
 

Called up to Life
We are casting for a snap shot of a new musical, Called up to Life by Art Levine, special staged reading planned for June 21, 2011 at the Lyceum in old town, Alexandria VA
It is a musical with the klezmer and Yiddish sounds and story line.
Roles:

The BSHT, the Baal Shem Tov. This is a singer’s role. He has a few speeches, but its really for a singer.

The Rosh Yeshiva, This is an actors role. He has two important songs, but he has the key speech in the finale.

Rabbi Simon, an old man, one important song. In this version, he sings the supporting roles.

Frumeh Leah, the female lead.

Feiga, Rebetsen, female character parts.

Please send your photo resume via e-mail and state your preference for an audition.

Thank you

Casting Dates: June 2 – June 6, 2011 Please e-mail your head-shot resume to schedule an audition
Audition/Casting Address:
205 Yoakum Pkwy #1008
Alexandria, VA 22304

Contact Information:
Hanna Bondarewska
Phone: 7034754036
Email: artisticdirector@aticc.org

E-mail your headshot and resume

The Washington Diplomat: Ambassador Theater Fosters Artistic Relations, Cultural Dialogue

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Apr 122011
 

For Hanna Bondarewska, the path to world peace not only exists, she is walking it — one artistic endeavor at a time.

Hanna Bondarewska stars with Tyler Herman in "Summer at Nohant" a production by the Ambassador Theater International Cultural Center.

“If we don’t have art, we cannot create anything,” Bondarewska said. “Even Einstein and all the most famous scientists used art as their inspiration to their inventions.” Her invention is the Ambassador Theater International Cultural Center (ATICC), a nonprofit the Warsaw native founded in 2008 to serve as part professional theater company and part educational epicenter.

“I started this theater to really open up an international cultural dialogue,” Bondarewska said. “This is something that is very close to my heart, and I believe that through cultural understanding and education, you ultimately create peace.”

Read more… Ambassador Theater Fosters Artistic Relations, Cultural Dialogue.

Reviews of Ambassador Theater’s “Under the Shadow of Wings”

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Feb 072011
 

“… a truly unique night of theater…” – Ben Demers (dctheatrescene.com)

With Under the Shadow of Wings, Ambassador Theater has staged a double bill of dramatic visions so vivid and absorbing they feel almost like lucid dreams. …. a truly unique night of theater … Bondarewska’s gutsy performance and the arresting sights and sounds accompanying the action carry the day.

I, for one, had to collect my bearings after experiencing the dizzying blend of traditional morality play, esoteric performance art, and delirious monologue.

In a landscape of familiar dramatic tropes, it’s refreshing to be occasionally thrown for a loop.  www.dctheatrescene.com/

“Exciting…perfect performances… This is a highly recommended evening of theater” – Bob Anthony (allartsreview4u.com)

Ambassador Theater continues its mandate to present foreign plays and with “Under the Shadow of Wings” there is almost no obvious weakness in the playing and technicals. “Karna and Kunti” by Indian poet/playwright,Rabindranath Tagore, is strongly symbolic with godlike references as it is taken from the Indian epic, “The Mahabarata”, which in this playlet tells of a rejecting mother trying to come to terms with her son who is facing death at the hands of his brother. Gavin Whitt with his cat-like movements and Meera Narasimhan with her wonderful hand gestures give intriguing performances in staccato fashion expected of Indian portrayals. “Death of Tintagiles” tells the tale of two sisters who attempt to defeat the fates who are classically determined to capture their young brother…amazingly performed by young, relaxed Michael Ryjik. Hanna Bondawerska dominates the playing with superb Grecian-like style as she rants and raves particularly during the tragic ending. Others in this playlet are Paula Rich, Rob Weinzimer and the three servants (of fate), Mary Suib, Gavin Whitt and Meera Narasimhan. The technicals are most exciting and top rate in the hands of David Crandall (music, sound and visual design), Marianne Meadows (lights), Andrzej Pinkowski (set) and Caridel Cruz (costumes). Fine credit is given to David Willinger and Daniel Gerould who translated these stories by Tagore and Maeterlinck and especially to Mr. Willinger who managed to get perfect performances from his cast. This is a highly recommended evening of theater from the “new kid around the theatrical block”. (Reviewed by Bob Anthony) http://allartsreview4u.com/

“With interesting visual and sound effects, and sincere acting, Under the Shadow of Wings is an opportunity to experience an early symbolist play and a portion of the Sanskrit epic The Mahabarata.” – Laura & Mike Clark  (showbizradio.net)

Reviews of “Under the Shadow of Wings”

 Media Coverage  Comments Off
Feb 022011
 

“… a truly unique night of theater…” – Ben Demers (dctheatrescene.com)

With Under the Shadow of Wings, Ambassador Theater has staged a double bill of dramatic visions so vivid and absorbing they feel almost like lucid dreams. …. a truly unique night of theater … Bondarewska’s gutsy performance and the arresting sights and sounds accompanying the action carry the day.

I, for one, had to collect my bearings after experiencing the dizzying blend of traditional morality play, esoteric performance art, and delirious monologue.

In a landscape of familiar dramatic tropes, it’s refreshing to be occasionally thrown for a loop.  www.dctheatrescene.com/

“Exciting…perfect performances… This is a highly recommended evening of theater” – Bob Anthony (allartsreview4u.com)

Ambassador Theater continues its mandate to present foreign plays and with “Under the Shadow of Wings” there is almost no obvious weakness in the playing and technicals. “Karna and Kunti” by Indian poet/playwright,Rabindranath Tagore, is strongly symbolic with godlike references as it is taken from the Indian epic, “The Mahabarata”, which in this playlet tells of a rejecting mother trying to come to terms with her son who is facing death at the hands of his brother. Gavin Whitt with his cat-like movements and Meera Narasimhan with her wonderful hand gestures give intriguing performances in staccato fashion expected of Indian portrayals. “Death of Tintagiles” tells the tale of two sisters who attempt to defeat the fates who are classically determined to capture their young brother…amazingly performed by young, relaxed Michael Ryjik. Hanna Bondawerska dominates the playing with superb Grecian-like style as she rants and raves particularly during the tragic ending. Others in this playlet are Paula Rich, Rob Weinzimer and the three servants (of fate), Mary Suib, Gavin Whitt and Meera Narasimhan. The technicals are most exciting and top rate in the hands of David Crandall (music, sound and visual design), Marianne Meadows (lights), Andrzej Pinkowski (set) and Caridel Cruz (costumes). Fine credit is given to David Willinger and Daniel Gerould who translated these stories by Tagore and Maeterlinck and especially to Mr. Willinger who managed to get perfect performances from his cast. This is a highly recommended evening of theater from the “new kid around the theatrical block”. (Reviewed by Bob Anthony) http://allartsreview4u.com/

“With interesting visual and sound effects, and sincere acting, Under the Shadow of Wings is an opportunity to experience an early symbolist play and a portion of the Sanskrit epic The Mahabarata.” – Laura & Mike Clark  (showbizradio.net)

 

Under the Shadow of Wings

 Press Releases  Comments Off
Dec 202010
 

–For immediate release—

Ambassador Theate­­­­­r Presents
Under the Shadow of Wings

Karna and Kunti by Rabindranath Tagore and Death of Tintagiles by Maurice Maeterlinck
East and West – Two Plays of Mystery 150th Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore’s Birth and 100th Anniversary of Maurice Maeterlinck’s Nobel Prize

Under the patronage of the Embassy of Belgium, The Ambassador Theater is delighted to present two mystery plays: Karna and Kunti by Rabindranath Tagore of India and Death of Tintagiles by Maurice Maeterlinck of Belgium. Karna and Kunti, an episode of the Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic that forms the basis of Hindu belief in which Karna, commander of the Kaurav army, comes to wage war against the rival Pandava clan. Kunti is the Pandava matriarch, and, secretly, Karna’s mother. She attempts to bring him back into her care to avert his army from defeating her sons, but finds that the fate of the battle has been determined long before.

The Death of Tintagiles, a forgotten classic of Symbolist Drama, is about a young boy, Tintagiles, whose family has been almost entirely obliterated by an all-powerful Queen. Under mysterious circumstances, he returns to his sisters Ygraine and Bellangère, who try to protect him from the Queen and her devious servants, to no avail.

“… You never know exactly what the soul imagines it can see.” M. Maeterlinck

Directed and Designed by David Willinger
Music and Visual Effects by David Crandall
Lights by Marianne Meadows

Featuring: Gavin Whitt as Karna and Meera Narasimhan as Kunti; Michael “Misha” Ryjik (Tintagiles), Hanna Bondarewska (Ygraine), Paula Rich (Bellangère), Rob Weinzimer (Aglovale), Mary Suib, Gavin Whit and Meera Narasimhan (Servants)

WHERE:
Mead Theater Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G Street NW, Washington DC – Jan. 25 – Feb. 12, 2011

 TICKETS: $25 General Admission  |   Students and Senior Citizens $15   |   Group Tickets $13

On line: www.aticc.org/tickets
WHEN:  January 25-February 12, 2011
Previews: January 25, 26 at 8 p.m.
Opening: January 27, 2011, 8 PM
Fridays, 8 PM  |   Saturdays, 3 PM and 8 PM  | Sundays, 3 PM and 7:30 PM

Ambassador Theater’s mission is to build international cultural awareness, provide a high standard of international repertoire based on close relations with the diplomatic and cultural representatives of different countries in the United States, and provide international interactive educational programs for the youth of the District of Columbia, the D.C. Metro area, and around the United States.

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