ASTORIA – Alcestis by Euripides, directed by Elena Mavridou, after its successful run as part of the Transgressions series at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in April 2022 and subsequently at the Choros Theater and in Thessaloniki, opened at the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center/ Thespis Theatre in Astoria on April 21, in a co-production by Generation Y Productions and the Maliotis Cultural Center.

A full house attended the opening night performance which was followed by a reception with food, wine, and live music by gifted composer and musician Alexandros Darna on piano.

Featuring popular actor Demetrios Lalos (Sasmos, Silent Road) in the role of Admetus, Elena Mavridou as Alcestis, and a cast of equally talented co-stars, Sotiris Tsakomidis (Agries Melisses), Giorgos Triantafyllidis (Sasmos), and Dimitra Kouza (Flock of Sheep), performing multiple roles, the play includes humor that balances between tragedy and satirical drama as it explores the limits of the performing arts, theater, and performance.

The unique staging and the distinctive music of the Thracian lyre created a compelling theatrical landscape for the action of the play as the actors tackled this complicated ancient story with their particular skills. Some audience members were particularly moved by the tragic aspects of the story while others appreciated the touches of humor, especially in the scenes with Lalos and Triantafyllidis.

The performances in New York continue on Saturday, April 22, 7 PM, and Monday, April 24, 7:30 PM. On Sunday, April 23, the Boston show will be presented at the Maliotis Cultural Center, 50 Goddard Avenue in Brookline, MA, 6 PM. English supertitles will be provided for non-Greek-speaking audiences for all performances, with the care of Supertitles.gr, which also handles similar projects in venues such as the Athens Concert Hall and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

“It is very important for us, on the one hand, that we will collaborate for a second consecutive year with Demetrios Lalos, one of the most distinguished Greek actors of his generation, and, on the other hand, that we will give the opportunity to the Greek-American community – and not only – to watch an ancient tragedy in a closed theater in America, under the unique directorial vision of Elena Mavridou and the acting talent of noteworthy Greek actors. We also warmly thank the Maliotis Cultural Center and personally the Director, Chrysoula Kourkountis, without whose assistance it would have been difficult for this production to come to the U.S.,” said Timoleon Ziogkas, one of the heads of Generation Y Productions.

The performance is under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in New York, while the organizers also expressed their thanks to the production’s sponsors, the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, businessman Markos Drakotos, and Alma Bank.

Among those present was Archbishop Elpidophoros of America who said “Christos Anesti” and received the reply “Alithos Anesti” from the audience members. He noted that Greece’s culture is its superpower and “we will continue to cultivate, develop, and grow this unique cultural center in the heart of Hellenism here in Astoria,” and wished all the best to all those involved with the production.

Also in attendance were Consul of Greece in New York Dimitris Papageorgiou, Consulate General of Greece in New York Department of Economic and Commercial Affairs Head Nikolaos Thomopoulos, Public Diplomacy Office Head Mary Vaxevanidou, Consulate Cultural Attache and Public Relations Officer Evelyn Kanellea, Pancyprian Association Cultural Division President Ismini Michaels, Pancyprian Choir Artistic and Music Director Phyto Stratis, Gyro World owner Dimitris Petridis, vocalist Erini Tornesaki, and many members of the Greek-American media.