California International Theatre Festival

Festival presentations include:

‘Komitas’ 10 Commandments and Colors. U.S. Premiere. Presented by MIHR Theatre and Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (Armenia). By synthesizing ethno-modern dance and new-movement theatre with action-painting and history, MIHR seeks to break down barriers between genres of art, philosophy and culture. Komitas’ 10 Commandments and Colors is dedicated to the 140th birthday of Komitas Vardapet, the Armenian composer, priest and musicologist who by traveling extensively throughout his country recording folk songs and dancers in various villages made it his mission to preserve his culture through art. The new show is based on his work "Ten commandments addressed to the singer." Each commandment is a phase of the life through which each artist should pass. Thurs. Sept. 8 and Fri. Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. , Sat. Sept. 10 at 2 p.m., Sun. Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. In Theatre 2.

The Cure For Everything. Writer-performer Maja Ardal stars in a solo performance presented by Contrary Company (Canada/Iceland/Scotland). It’s 1962 , and Elsa ‘s wild new world of sex and rock n’ roll is being rattled by some explosive tension that’s building on the world stage as President Kennedy launches his challenge to the USSR in what we now call the Cuban Missile Crisis. Convinced that the world could blow up any minute, Elsa resolves to get her life lived as fast as she can before the world ends. Thurs. Sept. 8 and Fri. Sept. 9 at 8 p.m., Sat. Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. In Theatre 4.

Café Burlesqu-O! (USA) Director Joe Peracchio helms Idris Goodwin and international guest artists from the festival, with powerful and unique voices from around the Los Angeles community. This racy speakeasy night of fiery street poetry, burlesque sketches and musical numbers is built to encourage the free flow of speech and ideas and to explore the power of international cultural exchange between audience and performer. Thurs. Sept. 8 at 9:30 p.m. in Theatre 4.

Chaussee Interdite aux Pietons (Roadway Closed to Pedestrains). U.S. Premiere. Presented by Macadames (France) in collaboration with the Luckman Performing Arts Center at Cal State LA. Using elements of clown, acrobatics, object manipulation, theatre, music, mime and dance, Chaussee Interdite aux Pietons is a creation working with the musicality of movement , the embodiment of sound, the chill of tragedy…all to explore the sentiment of Falling in Love- and delivered in an entirely universal language understood by all, regardless of where they come from or what languages they speak. Fri. Sept. 9 and Sat. Sept. 10 at 8 p.m., Sun. Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. In Theatre 3.

How We Got On (USA). Staged reading of a new hip-hop play, winner of the 2011 Eugene O’Neill Playwright’s Prize written by Idris Goodwin (HBO Def Poetry) with a live DJ and cast of L.A. actors A hip-hop extravaganza. Sat. Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in Theatre 4. FREE event.

The Global Stage- Theatre & Society in a Post 9/11 World. A lively panel discussion and community gathering to explore the role of the theatre, live performance and the individual voice in shaping as well as coping with world events. To be held on the 10th of the tragic terror attacks that rocked the world, this forum seeks to examine the importance of the arts and the world’s artists in shaping a new future for global collaboration. Complete with audience Q&A, video segments and a panel of international and American artists. Scholars, politicians and celebrities. Sunday, Sept. 11 at 12 Noon in Theatre 2. FREE event.

The Perils of Politeness Live On. (Armenia) Produced by the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance. Staged reading of a play by Bianca Bagatourian adapted from short stories by 19th Century Armenian satirist Hagop Baronian, featuring live music. Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. n Theatre 4. FREE event.

Mariana Sadovska. (Ukraine). Concert and storytelling with indigenous music of Eastern Europe and tribal cultures of the Middle East and the world. Ms. Sadovska is a singer, musician, actress and composer. Born in Lviv, Ukraine, her work in music and theater is inspired by the indigenous cultures and sounds from around the world. Sunday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. in Theatre 3.

Except for free events, single ticket prices for California International Theatre Festival events are $30 general admission, $25 seniors, $17 student with I.D. Substantial savings are available with multi-show Passports: 3-Show Passport: $75 general admission, $43 student with I.D..; 6-Show Passport: $135 general admission, $75 student with I.D. For tickets to these events, go to www.CITFestival.org or call toll-free at (888) 712-CITF (712-2483).