As part of its 50th anniversary season, La MaMa will present the world-premiere of a new music theater work, "The La MaMa Cantata" -- the text of which will be comprised of quotes from the theatre's late founder Ellen Stewart, and others' remembrances of her -- to be performed on what would have been her 92nd birthday on Monday, Nov. 7 and again the following day Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan. Both performances begin at 7:30.
A legendary figure in New York theatre and beloved by artists and theatre-goers worldwide, Ms. Stewart died at age 91 in January 2011.
'The La MaMa Cantata" is written, composed and directed by the Tony-nominated composer Elizabeth Swados, whose relationship with La MaMa and Ellen Stewart dates back 40 years. She says the "Cantata," "is as funny as it is celebratory and a memorial to Ellen. It's about La MaMa and its philosophies and influences on world theatre. The music is meant to reflect the whole world and the many uses of rhythm and voice at La MaMa through the years. La MaMa is a magical place and being part of it is like going around the world."
A multi-lingual piece -- which Ms. Swados began in March and which she has been rehearsing for three months -- "The La MaMa Cantata" will be performed by a company of 25, accompanied by a three-piece piano and percussion ensemble.
The performance of "The La MaMa Cantata" on Monday, Nov. 7 will be the first in a new series at La MaMa this season: MONDAYS AT LA MAMA will feature intimate evenings with La MaMa alums in performance and conversation including Julie Taymor, Tan Dun, Philip Glass and Meredith Monk.
Ms. Swados -- who founded the Great Jones Repertory at La MaMa with Ellen Stewart and Andrei Serban -- collaborated with Ms. Stewart on the company's productions of SEVEN AGAINST THEBES, ANTIGONE and MYTHOS OEDIPUS, to name a few, and with Mr. Serban on the celebrated Greek TRILOGY: MEDEA, ELECTRA and THE TROJAN WOMEN, along with GOOD WOMAN OF SETZUAN and CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE.
Elizabeth Swados is perhaps best known for her Broadway and international smash hit RUNAWAYS, for which she received 5 Tony Award nominations for book, music, lyrics, direction and choregraphy. She has composed, written, and directed for over 30 years. Some of her works include the Obie Award winning FRAGMENTS OF A GREEK TRILOGY at La MaMa, ALICE AT THE PALACE with Meryl Streep at the New York Shakespeare Festival and GROUNDHOG, NIGHTCLUB CANTATA, THE RED SNEAKS and THE BEAUTY INSIDE. Her work has been performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, at La MaMa, Brooklyn Academy Of Music, Carnegie Hall, and locations all over the world. She has also composed highly-acclaimed dance scores for well-known choreographers in the US, Europe and South America. Recent musical works include YERMA and KASPAR HAUSER at the Flea. Ms. Swados is a 5-time Tony nominee for book, music, lyrics, direction and choreography for RUNAWAYS and winner of 3 Obie Awards.
TICKETS ARE $50. For tickets and information, call the La MaMa box office at 212 475 7710 or visit www.lamama.org
