PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
22 Concord Lane Cambridge MA 02138 USA
Phone 617 871-6764 Fax 617 491-1011
Contact: Bianca Bagatourian, President
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
617-871-6764
[email protected]
www.arme niandrama.org
ADAA Advisory Board Member
SUCCESSFUL ADAA GALA & AWARDS IN GLENDALE
by Lisa Kirazian
Sunday night, August 19, the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA)
held its second annual Celebrity Gala at Stars Palace in Glendale.
It was a night of glamorous performances, awards, music and festivity.
The classic restored theater welcomed 200 people from the Armenian
and American theater and film communities, with Horizon Television
and the Hollyscoop.com hosts Diana Magpapian, Nora Gasparian, and Ani
Esmailian manning the red carpet. Former Miss Hollywood and
ReelzChannel Correspondent Jill Simonian emceed the Gala with energy
and charm.
Celebrities included Alek Keshishian, film director; Jose Rivera,
Oscar nominated screenwriter; Anita Vogel, FOX News Reporter; Karen
Kondazian, Ovation award-winning actor; Simon Levy, playwright and
Fountain Theatre Artistic Director; producer Anahid Nazarian; Adriana
Sevan, actor/playwright; Anoush NeVart, film and television actor;
Glen Farr, film editor, directors Michael Arabian and Martin Bedoian
and comedian Ara Basil.
The Gala program included an encore excerpt reading of Berge
Zeytuntsyan’s `Born and Died,’ performed by brothers Gregory and
Lawrence Zarian (`The Fashion Guy’ who appears on KTLA-TV). The
Zarian brothers captivated the audience with their interpretation of
an Actor and Director competing onstage. Afterwards, ADAA Founder
Bianca Bagatourian, who directed `Born and Died,’ encouraged
everyone’s support… ‘So that we can continue bringing the Armenian
voice to the world stage.’
An excerpt of Yehuda Hyman’s play, `I Ask You, Ladies and Gentlemen,’
was then performed by Ludwig Manukian, based on the novel and life of
Armenian author Leon Surmelian and directed by Fountain Theatre
Artistic Director Simon Levy. Manukian’s performance was
spellbinding, according to many in the audience. ADAA is producing the
play Off-Broadway in the coming year.
At the Gala, the inaugural $10,000 Paul prize was awarded to winner,
Richard Kalinoski for his play, `A Crooked Man.’ The other finalists
were Jose Rivera’s `Three Apples fell from Heaven’ and Bill
Hoversten’s `Mamigon’s War.’ The honorary jury which evaluated the
finalists were Oscar-winning screenwriter Steven Zaillian, American
Zoetrope producer Anahid Nazarian, award-winning director/playwright
of the Fountain Theatre Simon Levy and Emmy- winning
actor/writer/director Michael Goorjian. Actor Karen Kondazian —
whose father Varnum Paul established the award — and Glendale Mayor
Ara Najarian presented the prize to Kalinoski. The Paul award is
granted biennially to the best screenplay based on an Armenian theme.
Also awarded during the evening was ADAA’s first Armenian Star
Award, presented by Fox News Reporter Anita Vogel to Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger. Deputy director, Lisa Kalustian, was on hand to
receive the Star Award and to read a letter of acceptance from the
Governor who was thrilled to be honored by ADAA and applauded the
organization for its work in the California arts community. Ms. Vogel
expressed the sentiments of the Armenian artistic community when she
stated that the passing of the resolution `Inspires and
encourages
us to tell our stories and lets us know that they will be heard.’
After the awards presentations, folk/rock singer-songwriter Gor
Mkhitarian performed a couple of selections for the eager audience.
The ADAA Celebrity Gala Event Committee was Zoe Kevork, Lisa
Kirazian, Kristin Lazarian, Debbie Ohanian, Anahid Shahrik and
Loraine Shields and the impressive dinner was provided by Carousel
Restaurant and Anoush Catering. The gourmet desserts were created by
Jovina of Panos Pastry.
`An inspiring evening,’ said one patron, apparently echoing the
sentiments of many. Funds from the gala will support ADAA’s
productions and programs intended to project the Armenian voice on
stage and screen around the world. For more information on ADAA,
visit
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