THE THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY PRESENTS INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST ROSE MARIE GUIRAUD AND LES GUIRIVOIRES DANCE THEATRE COMPANY PERFORMING HER AFRICAN DANCE/MUSICAL THEATER DRAMA THE VENGEANCE OF MAMI WATA
(PRWEB) March 20, 2003
For Immediate Release
Back By Popular Demand
New York, February 10, 2003 - Back by popular demand, internationally acclaimed artist Rose Marie Guiraud, announces the return of her original African dance/musical theater drama, The Vengeance of Mami Wata, to the New York stage. Composed, written, directed, and choreographed by Ms. Guiraud, the production was previously represented by The Theater for the New City for four performances this past December. By public demand Les Guirivoires Dance Theatre is back for twelve more performances from April 10- April 27, again at the Theater for the New City.
A native of the Ivory Coast, Ms. Guiraud has collaborated with many well-known American dance and theatre luminaries including Alvin Ailey, Ellen Stewart, Woody King, Diane McIntyre, Dini Zulu and Chuck Davis, to name a few. Ms. Guiraud is author of several plays and poetry, and has recorded six record albums. She is also Founder and Artistic Director of Les Guirivoires Dance Theatre Company (LGDTC) and will appear with the group in The Theater for the New CityÂ’s production.
The Vengeance of Mami Wata debuted in New York to critical acclaim at The University of the Streets in 1979, followed by successful runs at La Mama Theater and the New Federal Theatre, which led to a highly successful tour in the Ivory Coast. Since, Ms. Guiraud has performed and taught extensively in France, Japan, Germany, Greece, and England among others. Last summer, Ms. Guiraud received a special invitation from Ivory Coast Ambassador Philippe Djangone-Bi for a private performance at the United Nations. By invitation of the Arts In Education Institute of Western New York, Ms. Guiraud and her company traveled to upstate New York for a brief tour throughout the Buffalo and Niagara Falls school districts. There she gave workshops in African dance and music, and performances of The Vengeance of Mami Wata for over 4,000 students.
The Vengeance of Mami Wata is based on the folktale of Mami Wata, the spiritual mother of the water, a well-known figure throughout African oral tradition. The play is about the intriguing tale of a little girl who is blamed for her motherÂ’s death in childbirth and is outcast by her village. She eventually dies of malnourishment and returns twenty years later as a ghost, in the form of a beautiful woman, to take revenge on the unjust and reward the worthy. The production features a multi-cultural cast, an innovative multi-media presentation, and unique theatrical effects. The music for the play is entirely composed by Ms. Guiraud and arranged by jazz musician and LGDTC Musical Director Emmett McDonald, and offers a diverse mix of both African and Western cultures.
Showtimes for The Vengeance Of Mami Wata are April 10-27, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. All tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children, and are available at The Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets. For ticket and information, call
(212) 254-1109 or e-mail: info@theaterforthenewcity. org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ROSE MARIE GUIRAUD AND LES GUIRIVOIRES DANCE THEATRE COMPANY,
PLEASE CALL 718-562-8656 OR E-MAIL: GMCEX@AOL. COM
