FLUSHING – The Pancyprian Association of America Theatre Group presented Sophocles’ Electra directed by Leonidas Loizidis at the Queens Theatre in Flushing on February 24.

The ancient tragedy featured Eftychia Loizides as Electra, Tasos Karydis as Orestes, Addi Limehouse as Clytemnestra, Michael Anne Hoffert-Cone as Chrysothemis, and Joshua Rugiano as Aegisthus/Tutor as well as the Chorus: Esther Markaki, Anastasia Marchelos, Lauren E. Butler, Carla Constabile, Emma K. Campbell, Jennifer Helen Morris, Julie Gaarskaer, Kiara Fung, Marla Jane Caram, Natassa Tsonis, Vanessa D. Karveli, and Fani Koulouri. The intrumentalists who performed throughout the piece adding depth and interest to the soundscape of the tragedy were Elli Tsachtani on flute, Jim Bexrakis on guitar, and Theodore Tsinias on percussion. The script adaptation was by Louis Markos.

Karydis as Orestes was particularly effective in his role, embodying the conflicting emotions of his character with subtlety and strength. Karydis has an undeniable stage presence and many in the audience said they look forward to seeing him in future theatrical productions.

After the show, the director, Mr. Loizides, took the stage and congratulated the actors noting that this evening’s performance was the result of six months of work. He expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of Pancyprian Association President Philip Christopher since the founding of the Theater Group, as well as the great sponsor Nikos Mouyiaris who could not attend the performance on Saturday. “This is the first time in ten years of the theatrical department that Nikos Mouyiaris is not with us,” Loizides pointed out.

The President of the Pancyprian Association, Philip Christopher, thanked all those in attendance including the Consul General of Cyprus in New York Ambassador Vasilios Philippou, Consul of Greece in New York Spyridoula-Ioanna Zochiou, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, the President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies Petros Galatoulas, Nina Gatzouli- the Supreme Coordinator of the World Pan-Macedonian Associations. Mr. Christopher especially noted theefforts of Galatoulas and Gatzouli in the rally for Macedonia.

Referring to the Pancyprian struggle, Christopher said that for 43 years he has been fighting for justice and the freedom of Cyprus and for the preservation of Hellenism, Hellenic values and ideals, customs and traditions.

He noted the vital role played by all the divisions of the Pancyprian Association, including the Theater Group.

Christopher congratulated the director Leonidas Loizides and the actors and invited the Theater Group committee, Effie Antoniou, Skevi Rousopoulou, Savvy Asprou, Niovi Philippou, and Evi Raftis, to the stage for a round of applause for their efforts. He also noted the upcoming events for the Pancyprian Association including the Women’s Division annual dinner on March 3 at Terrace on the Park during which Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas will be honored as the Woman of the Year, and on March 31, the Pancyprian Choir will honor the heroes of EOKA with a tribute concert.

His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, who is originally from Cyprus, was also invited to the stage and offered his congratulations to everyone for the moving theatrical production and conveyed the congratulations of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios who could not attend the performance. He noted that the production brought Sophocles’ words to life.