‘KOMITAS’ TELLS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND LOST MUSIC
By Cynthia Citron
San Diego Jewish World
July 18 2012
LOS ANGELES – If you’re Armenian you’ll love Komitas. If you’re not,
the play may seem a little obscure. It’s the story of a 19th century
musicologist who made it his life’s work to collect the music of his
country-the folk songs, the liturgy, the classics-so that they would
remain pure and free from the myriad influences of other cultures
that had invaded and settled in the country throughout its history.
“Song is a crimson thread woven through our culture,” he says. “But the
Armenian heart is not ours alone. It is Syrian and Indian and Persian.
In addition, Komitas was a composer and a priest, a teacher, and the
founder and conductor of an acclaimed national choir.
In Lilly Thomassian’s play, now having its world premiere at the Circle
X Theater in Atwater Village, Komitas’ life is presented in a loose,
back and forth manner, interspersed with dreams and fantasies and
doubts. Jesse Einstein, who plays Komitas with earnest devotion,
is often joined onstage by Arthur Parian, who plays his younger,
orphaned self.
Komitas was a rebel who was indulged by the church even as he went
his own way. But he maintained his loyalty even after he fell in love
with the beautiful singer, Margaret (Gina Manziello). Manziello’s
glorious voice brings the plaintive Armenian music to life, and the
Armenians in the audience, who understood the words, to tears.
The historical period that Komitas lived through comes to a head in
1915 during the brutal genocide fomented by the Turks, (“There is deep
sorrow that characterizes our Armenian soul,” he says) and the events
through which he suffered eventually drove him mad. He spent the final
20 years of his life in total silence in a mental institution in Paris.
Despite the occasional comments in Armenian, the play, which is a
historical documentary as well as a touching love story, is easily
understood, if a trifle too long and repetitious.
Director Pavel Cerny has done a skillful job of telling Komitas’
story while adding some distinctive touches: for example, half a
dozen players evoke the long death march instigated by the Turks by
stamping their feet rhythmically in place for long minutes. It’s an
effectively chilling moment.
Further, the nine ensemble players continually morph into other
characters, making lightning-fast costume changes as they represent
dozens of different individuals.
The ensemble acting is generally good, and Jesse Einstein, who remains
onstage for the full two-and-a-half hours, is especially commendable
in the lead.
It’s an interesting and absorbing play, but as I indicated earlier,
it helps if you’re Armenian.
Komitas, produced by the Armenian Cultural Movement, will continue
at the Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Avenue, in Los Angeles,
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 through August
19th. Call (818) 551-1234 for reservations.
* Citron is Los Angeles bureau chief of San Diego Jewish World.
http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2012/07/18/komitas-tells-of-armenian-genocide-and-lost-music/