STILL THE RIVER FLOWS (2008)
a celebration of winter rituals from the Carpathians Mountains
an 18th century nativity show
and solstice songs from around the world
created by Yara Arts Group
directed by Virlana Tkacz, designed by Watoku Ueno
with river installation by Watoku Ueno, set by Kenji Watanabe,
costumes coordinated by Maria Vlasova, lights by Watoku Ueno
music directed by Julian Kytasty, traditional music: Mykhaylo Tafiychuk
script assembled by Virlana Tkacz, Alexandra Tkacz & Svitlana Matviyenko
English translations by Virlana Tkacz and Wanda Phipps
movement by Shigeko Suga, Syzokryli director:Orlando Pagan
photographs by Alexander Khantaev, lobby video Andrea Wenglowskyj
stage manager Livia Hill, assistant stage manager: Alexandra Myrna
with: Nina Arianda, Andres Carrero, Antonina Ermolenko, Inka Juslin, Kyrylo, Lilia, Taras and Zoya Pavlovsky; Alexandra, Roxolyana, Stefan and Zoya Shepko, Shigeko Suga, Nadia Tarnawsky, Brandon Vance, Kat Yew. The Koliadnyky of Kryvorivnia: Ivan, Mykola and Petro Zelenchuk, Dmytro and Mykhaylo Tafiychuk; Svitanya Women’s Vocal Ensemble: Susan Anderson, Kayla Ankeny, Anne Erhart, Mary Kalyna, Chrissy Steele and Petia Zamfirova; and Syzokryli Dancers: Artem Derkatch, Ksenya Hentisz and Vitaliy Simonian.
premiere at La MaMa Annex December 26-28, 2008
66 East 4th Street, New York
RELATED YARA KOLIADA EVENTS in DECEMBER 2008
Koliada and Hutsul Music
at the Ukrainian Museum in New York, Dec 7, 2008
Winter Sun: New Art and Tradition
at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York December 19-21, 2008
Friday Dec 19 Exhibit opening: works of contemporary artists
Saturday Dec 20 Gala concert, readings by poets
and new culinary interpretations of ritual food
Saturday afternoon December 20 Seminar & Workshop in Hutsul music and winter songs
PRESS in NEW YORK
"Virlana Tkacz’s productions with the Yara Arts Group are always astounding and brilliantly executed. This year’s offering Still the River Flows; was no exception.”
Ihor Slabicky, Ukrainian Weekly, Jan 18, 2009
VOICE CHOICE Village Voice December 24, 2008
You’ll probably never make it to Kryvorivnia in the Carpathian Mountains. Thankfully, Kryvorivnia can come to you. Or at least a group of musicians from there can come to perform ancient winter solstice songs called the Koliada. There is also a nativity puppet play and an Eastern European Women’s Vocal Ensemble. Bottom Line: An ethnomusicologist's wet dream but also one of anyone who loves music, Eastern Europe, human voices, puppets and stuff. New York Press December 25, 2008
THE A-LIST The Villager December 24, 2008
HOLIDAY GUIDE – THEATRE Time Out December 18, 2008
If you’re full up on tinsel but still long to make the solstice, join the Yara Arts Group for this celebration with traditional Carpathian singers and a Nativity puppet play that dates back to the 18th century.
"Virlana Tkacz’s productions with the Yara Arts Group are always astounding and brilliantly executed. This year’s offering Still the River Flows; was no exception.”
Ihor Slabicky, Ukrainian Weekly, Jan 18, 2009
The multidisciplinary event was directed by Virlana Tkacz and designed by Watoku Ueno. Captivating visuals accompanied the singing of ancient Hutsul koliadas about the creation of the world, and sections of a Nativity puppet play from the 18th century were presented with traditional music arranged by Julian Kytasty. The Svitanya ensemble performed solstice songs from East European countries.
Helen Smindak Ukrainian Weekly January 18, 2009
