July 01, 2022
Porphyra Foundation Inc.
CONTACT: Vassilios Chrissochos 917-617-0597
vchrissochos@gmail.com
www.PorphyraFoundation.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Byzantine Story of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita Rocks
Astoria
Byzantium
and the Macedonian Dynasty came alive at St. Demetrios Preparatory School with
Porphyra’s Grecian Rock Opera, “The Story of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita.” A
thrilling, historical, cultural journey through Music, Dance, and Theater was
performed three days in June, June 24th-26th, at the School’s Petros G.
Patrides Cultural Center. The production was presented by the Porphyra
Foundation and St. Demetrios Prep. This was also a Fundraiser for St. Demetrios
Preparatory School for all its wonderful music, art, and dance programs.
Set in
the year 988 AD, the Heroic Age of Basil II Emperor of Byzantium, the story
chronicles Basil II’s sister Princess Anna Porphyrogenita and her world-rocking
marriage to Grand Prince Vladimir of the Kievan Rus. The show was narrated
through the eyes of the great author Penelope Delta’s incredible world of
Emperor Basil II’s Byzantine Greek Macedonian Renaissance, his struggles,
victories, and aspirations for his people and family. There was a special
tribute to Electric Guitar pioneer, Epaminondas (Epi) Stathopoulos, of Epiphone
guitar fame, and the Armenian Zildjian Cymbal-making family.
Our
community got the “Off-Broadway” experience it deserves. This Porphyra
Foundation’s show has premiered in Carnegie Hall, Off-Broadway at the Player’s
Theatre, and Flushing Town Hall. This is a musical in the Rock Opera genre
where it features Rock Guitars and Greek ethnic instruments such as the Tzoura,
the Pontian Lyra, and Greek Percussion (Daouli and Dumberleki). The show featured
three incredible school dancers, Konstantina Koulouriotis, Frida Kasimis, and
Stamatoula Figetakis, who prepared and choreographed all the dances by
themselves. It featured acting and full costumed singers along with Greek folk
numbers from The Greek American Folklore Society (GAFS). GAFS was founded in
the early eighties by Paul Ginis, who was a recognized authority on Greek
folklore.
The
show was directed by St. Demetrios Prep's own Thea Gibbs, who has an extensive
theater background, and narrated by Despina Chrissochos who acted the part of
Penelope Delta while helping backstage as well. The role of Princess Anna
Porphyrogenita was performed by the vocal powerhouse, Elaine Tuttle. Grand
Princess Olga was performed by Dorit, who also performed all the belly dancing
numbers that wowed the crowds every night. Newcomer Andreas Pliatsikas looked
great as Emperor Basil II while a returning favorite, Christos Alexandrou
stunned the crowd with his theatrical dexterity as Grand Prince Vladimir. The
props, costumes, and armor used were courtesy of the Porphyra Foundation’s
Vassilios Chrissochos Collection.
Band
leader, composer, and music director Vassilios “Billy” Chrissochos shredded on
the guitar while Mike “Risko” Savvas dazzled everyone with his guitar and tzoura
playing. The tzoura is the smaller cousin of the bouzouki followed by the
baglama. Mike also helped arrange some of the Greek folk dance numbers for the
show. Porphyra is blessed to have the following three gentlemen on its roster
who have worked tech in musical theater for many years; drummer Tracey Beavers
who also held the ship together, new bassist Derek Ortiz, and sound
engineer/tech Tom Dicarlucci. The ethnic Greek folk instrument aspect of the
group was rounded out by Porphyra veteran world-renowned percussionist Richard
Khuzami, and new addition Dimitris Stefanidis on the Pontian Lyra.
St.
Demetrios Prep's own music teacher Dimitris Carabas performed with the Greek
American Folklore Society and assisted with tech along with Nicole-Katherine Tiliakos
(School Co-Salutatorian) who danced with GAFS and assisted backstage. Dimitris
Carabas along with Billy Chrissochos came up with the dances that later Mike
Savvas would help arrange for the band to incorporate into their repertoire.
The addition of two Pontian Dances; Kotsari, and a Tik (Rasopoulo), along with
a Thracian dance called Zonaradiko. Kalamatiano called “City of Gold” that was
co-written with Christos Alexandrou and one song from their new album, a
Hasaposerviko called “the Butcher’s Dance “ was also featured in the show.
Backstage
on make-up and costumes were the school’s Maria Karamaniolas and Evangelia
Ruppaner running the show. Frontstage we wish to thank Christa Ann Gibbs and
David Gibbs for manning the ticket and merchandise tables. Despina and
Billy’s little girls, Theoni and Triantafyllia, helped with the big wedding
scene and backstage.
The new
Rock Opera, “The Story of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita,” incorporates much of
the previous story of "Anna and Vladimir: the love that ROCKED the
world," and now even added music from all four of Billy Chrissochos'
albums; Phoenix Reign's "Destination Unknown," Porphyra's
"Faith, Struggle, Victory," "The Starmaker's Prophecy," and
upcoming album "In the Spirit of 1821," as well as new arrangements
of popular Greek folk dance songs.
The
band is now set to release their epic third album this summer titled, "The
Spirit of 1821". This has more tales about Greek history and mythology
ranging from Orpheus and Eurydice, King Leonidas of Sparta, Achilles, The Greek
Revolution, Byzantium, and even a Greco-Romanian tale of Vlad the Impaler
(Dracula), and the Armenian epic post WWI story of Operation Nemesis. Stay
tuned for the release date on their website and social media!
This
production was awarded by Mr. Ioannis Maronitis who is the President of the
Club for UNESCO of Piraeus and Islands, a Member of the Executive Board of the
World Federation of Clubs, Centres, and Associations of UNESCO (WFUCA) for
Europe and North America, and Secretary-General of the Hellenic Federation
Clubs, Centres and Associations of UNESCO. Ms. Despina Afentouli officiated the
ceremony on Friday's show awarding with certificates the cast and crew from
UNESCO Piraeus and its sister organization InterAction Art. Many thanks also go
to our partner Mr. Panayiotis Karousos and our own Billy Chrissochos who serves
as Director of Modern Music in NY for UNESCO Piraeus.
Many
thanks also go out to the AHEPA leadership for helping promote the show
including District Governor Br Dean Moskos and our own Billy Chrissochos, who
serves as AHEPA District 6 Empire State Director of Hellenism and past
president of AHEPA Hermes Astoria Chapter 186. We also wish to thank our Media
Sponsors New Greek Television (NGTV), Yanna Darilis, George Kokkinos, and
Christos Tezides.
We wish
to thank all our Sponsors: Mediterranean Foods, Rizos Jewelry, Selo Restaurant,
Oasis Cafe, Crescent Apothecary, Kellogg's Diner, Metropolis Realty, The Grand,
Marvel Frozen Dairy, James P. Orphanides and family, Pat Gravino (Premier
Consulting Partners), Chris Pollatos and family, Michael Tribunella and family,
Perry Jonson, Theoni Chrissochos and Leach family. Also, all the places that
promoted our show with posters and flyers: St. Demetrios Cathedral, St.
Catherine and George Church, St. Demetrios Preparatory School, St. Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Shrine in Flushing, To Steki tou Laki, North Shore Diner, TRU
Astoria, Avenue Cafe, Argy Realty LLC, Astoria Soundworks, and
Euromarket.
The
Porphyra Foundation wishes to thank Reverend Father Vasileios Tsiourlis, School
Supervising Principal Dr. John Alfieri, Assistant Principals Mrs. Helen
Karageorge and Mrs. Betsy Sideris, Dean Mr. Petros Stasinos, Parish President
Mr. Stefanos Thomatos, and the PTA for all their support and help with our
production of "The Story of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita."
Here is
“The Story of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita” promo video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm-g-rEO_cE
New
Greek TV (NGTV) promo spot:
https://www.facebook.com/newgreektvinc/videos/1402462346903945
UNESCOPIO
UNESCO award Ceremony:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/unescopio/permalink/3167171590161726/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIyb_bUz9ms7iGVgxVuILuQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PorphyraBand
IHeart
radio: https://www.iheart.com/artist/porphyra-30612995/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kndGKhg417V5KkkmjGXrd
ITunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/porphyra/906248555
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/porphyra4
