Elizabeth Swados’ La MaMa Cantata to Premiere in November

Elizabeth Swados’ new oratorio, The La MaMa Cantata, honoring the late La MaMa founder Ellen Stewart, will receive its world premiere at La MaMa, November 7 and 8 at 7:30pm. The first performance will take place on what would have been Stewart’s 92nd birthday.

The work is comprised of Stewart’s own words, as well as others’ remembrances of her. Each performance will be followed by an “open-mike” in which audiences members will be invited to step forward to share their own remembrances of Stewart.

The multi-lingual piece will be performed by a multi-national company of 25 — actors, soloists and a large chorus, including members of La MaMa’s Great Jones Repertory — and reflect the musical styles from parts of the world that Stewart loved, including Africa, Italy, and the Middle East.

A sneak preview of the piece will be presented at the La MaMa 50 Gala on October 17 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre. In addition to that performance, the gala will feature appearances or performances from such artists as Bill Irwin, Patti Smith, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Parsons, Taylor Mac, Scott Wittman, Justin Bond, and John Kelly.

For tickets and more information, click here.