Yara production presents culture of Buryat people (04/19/98)

Yara production presents culture of Buryat people

NEW YORK - Yara Arts Group, a resident company of La MaMa, joins artists from the Buryat National Theater of Siberia in "Flight," their second La MaMa collaboration in two years. This all-sung work features the music and legends of the Buryat people who live in Siberia near Lake Baikal.

The highly imagistic, multi-disciplinary work depicts an American in Siberia today who finds herself in the footsteps of a 16th century Buryat princess. Their worlds entwine as a shaman, at the height of his trance, leaves his body and takes flight. Music, movement, dance, chant and song intermingle in a highly stylized form that has become the signature of Yara's pieces. "Flight" will be staged at La MaMa E.T.C., 73A E. Fourth St.,Thursdays-Sundays at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12. For more information call (212) 475-7710.

"Flight" is conceived and directed by Yara's artistic director, Virlana Tkacz. Music is by Obie Award-winner and composer Genji Ito, and Buryat composer Erzhena Zhambalov. The texts and translations into English are by Sayan Zhambalov, Tom Lee, Ms. Tkacz and Wanda Phipps. The movement is by Cheng-Chieh Yu, with production design by Watoku Ueno and costumes by Luba Kierkosz.

Yara ensemble members include: Tom Lee, Donna Ong and Meredith Wright. The Thunder Dance, which propels the Shaman on his flight, is performed by Deborah S. Craig, Maile Holck, Michelle LaRue, Lily Lhagvajav, Anna Li, Jodi Lin, Jina Oh, Mariko Shibata and Candece Tarpley.

Erzhena Zhambalov, Sayan Zhambalov and Erdeny Zhaltsanov are the premiere artists of their generation at the Buryat National Theater in Ulan Ude, Siberia. They have been recognized as Honored Artists of the Republic for their achievements. They are all actors, singers and musicians and have created and performed a number of original theater pieces in the Buryat language. Last year they collaboraed with Yara on the creation of "Virtual Souls" and performed the piece with Yara in Ulan Ude, New York and Kyiv.