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THE LONELY ROAD OF “LIFE”

by Aram Kouyoumdjian

It’s hard to think of Vahe Berberian as lonely. If you ever meet him for coffee at a certain Starbucks in the Valley – a place affectionately referred to as his “office” – you soon realize how difficult it will be to hold a conversation with him because virtually every patron who walks into the place will know Vahe and stop to exchange a few words.

Yet, as a contemporary Armenian dramatist on these diasporan shores, Vahe cuts a solitary figure with hardly any company. He is a rare specimen who composes plays in Western Armenian – a language that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has decreed “endangered.”

Over the four years that have elapsed since Vahe’s previous full-length play, “Baron Garbis,” premiered in early 2008, there have been no more than two or three productions of original Western Armenian plays in our community; without exception, they have been trite farces that are best forgotten. It should shock us that in a community of this size and affluence, theatrical productivity is practically nil.

Vahe’s new play, “Gyank” (Life), speaks to this existential angst – not because its plotline features a character on the verge of death, but because its script is written in a language actually threatened with extinction.

Truth be told, Western Armenian drama has always been imperiled. We can list pre-Genocide censorship and post-Genocide trauma among the obvious reasons, but I’ve always thought that there is a third cause for its arrested development: the Western Armenian language itself.

In its modern form (ashkharhapar), Western Armenian has never been the language of an independent Armenian nation. Spoken mainly in historical Armenia (under Ottoman domination) and, later, in diaspora communities, it has been infiltrated by impurities, absorbing words and expressions from the languages of oppressors (Turkish) or of host countries (Arabic, English, and French). It also has the problem of “gor” – the gerund (or “-ing” form of verbs) – which sounds natural in speech but turns into an eyesore in writing. Western Armenian dramatists face a difficult choice – accepting to write in a vernacular that’s messy, or insisting on a pure, literary language that’s strained and artificial.

Not only does Vahe embrace the Western Armenian vernacular, he revels in it. He has an uncanny ear for the vocabulary and the cadence of the language spoken by Armenians from the Middle East; indeed, the way his characters speak often proves as important as what they say.

Why am I thus preoccupied with Western Armenian, when I can just as easily extol the fluid lyricism of Eastern Armenian? I’m preoccupied with Western Armenian because it is the language of our diaspora. It contains the history of our dispersion. Its impure lexicon is a testament to the influences that have shaped us and the oppressions we have borne. Its clutter reflects the hybrid – and even multiple – identities we’ve come to cultivate in exile.

So I greet “Gyank” not just as a play that will be thought-provoking or moving or funny. I greet it as a new marker of Western Armenian drama’s endurance. And I wish it long life.
_______________

Aram Kouyoumdjian is the winner of Elly Awards for both playwriting (“The Farewells”) and directing (“Three Hotels”). His latest work is “Happy Armenians.”

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Some FAQs about Genats

What is Genats?  A big bash to celebrate the arts and kickoff Vahe Berberian’s new play, Gyank, set to open on March 16, 2012. Party with your friends and enjoy the opportunity to watch Vahe paint live.
What exactly do you mean by “Vahe will be painting live?”  Vahe’s process of painting is to first internalize his surroundings and and then bring them to life on the canvas. As Vahe explains enthusiastically, “The best thing about the evening is the fact that it will be just like painting in my studio, surrounded by friends, having fun and painting to my favorite music.” Be a part of the experience.

Can we mingle as he paints? Yes! Mingle, dance, hang out with old friends and make new ones.

I heard something about a bar… Cash bar. 21 and over. We have some great mixologists.

and a restaurant… Amazing aromas will be coming from ATX Kitchen, in the courtyard of our venue.

Do we get to dance? We plan on it! DJs? As Vahe paints, producer Bei Ru will spin his signature blend of vintage Armenian melodies mixed with touches of hip hop, funk, & soul.  After the painting, stick around and have a few more drinks as DJ Shahe amps up the party with his notable world, lounge, house and intelligent dance music.

Can i buy tickets at the door? If we have any left…Space is limited and tickets are going quickly. Purchase yours today!  I’m coming! How do i buy tickets? Visit www.itsmyseat.com. Yup, it’s that easy.

What about tickets for the play, Gyank? We will have discounted tickets for the preview night performance on March 16 available on the night of this event only.
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Los Angeles Art Show 2012

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Genats Party! Tickets on sale now!

We would not be lying if we told you that it’s a belated New Year’s party. We could also tell you that it’s just an excuse to get together and have a blast. But the truth is far more exciting: what awaits you on the night of January 28, 2012, is a big bash during which Vahe Berberian will be painting live, music will be blasting, drinks will be flowing, while the guests are reveling.

The most exciting part of the evening will be watching Vahe Berberian paint a large canvas; it will be like spending an evening with Vahe in his studio, and in the process socializing with your friends and the larger community of great people who love and support the arts. Two of Vahe’s friends Bei Ru and DJ Shahe will spin the music. The proceeds from the party will help stage Gyank, a new play written and directed by Vahe Berberian. Gyank will open on March 16, 2012, at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

We highly recommend that you purchase your party tickets in advance as the space is bound to fill up to capacity very early.

Play tickets for the March 16, opening night performance, purchased during the Party, will receive a $10.00 discount per ticket.

 

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Genats Party! Save the Date

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Baron Garbis performed by the Theatron Theater Group in Beirut

Beirut, Lebanon

WHAT: Theatron Theater Group In Collaboration with Disco Young Theatron Presents “Baron Garbis”
(with English subtitles). Written by Vahe Berberian. Directed by Souren Khedeshian. Starring Paul Minassian, Garen Darakjian and Sako Ohanian.
WHERE: Theatre Monnot. University Saint Joseph Street
WHEN: October 27-30, 2011 at 8:30 p.m.

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