HE WHO MUST DIE, a dramatic play based on Christ Re-Crucified by Nikos Kazantzakis (the author of Zorba the Greek)
Come experience an ecumenical masterpiece of world literature, which has been adapted into film, television series, an opera, and now a theatrical play, moving audiences from around the world in more than 30 languages. It is a profound exploration of our human condition, in which the trials and tribulations of a subjugated Greek Village in Asia Minor become the springboard for global reflection on the existential and social conflicts that pervade our society today.
Performed entirely in English, the play is being staged in a six-performance run on January 4-6, 2013 at the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre. The play was written by Michael Antonakes, a retired English/Classics professor and life-long Kazantzakis scholar. The play is being produced by Dean Antonakes of D MAjor Productions, marking the 40th anniversary of his father's last production of the play.
The internationally renowned guitarist, Pavlo, recorded the musical score for the play, and the renowned Greek-Canadian Mezzo Soprano, Ariana Chris, will be acting and singing in the role of the Narrator. Proceeds are being donated to the AHEPA Toronto Scholarship Fund, the Hellenic Heritage Foundation and the Geneva Centre for Autism.
This is a unique Greek cultural, historical and educational event you will not want to miss.
Performances: Friday January 4th 2013, 1:00pm and 7:30pm
Saturday January 5th 2013, 1:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday January 6th 2013, 1:00pm and 7:30pm
Where: Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre
Call for Tickets: 905-787-8811
Tickets Online: www.hewhomustdie.com
$49.00 Adults/$44.00 students/seniors
$25.00 Matinee Tickets available for students/seniors
Use Stocking Stuffer Discount code: xmas2012
Further info: www.hewhomustdie.com
Contact: dean@dmajorproductions.com
Dean M. Antonakes
Producer
D MAjor Productions Inc.
Tel: 905-903-6649
Our Cast
| ARIANA CHRIS The Narrator | Internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano Ariana Chris performs leading roles in esteemed opera houses around the world including Opera Nantes Angers France, Hong Kong Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Montreal Opera, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and was for several seasons with New York City Opera. Her notable appearances include representing Greece at the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, singing the Polish National Premiere of Ariadne auf Naxos with Opera Baltycka for Mezzo Television broadcast in 39 countries and performing the Greek National Anthem for an audience of millions at the Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. |
| BILL CHAMBERS Panayotaros | When I was asked by Dean Antonakes about my experience in live theatre, I replied 'I have several years experience with drama and Greek tragedy; in my prior marriage'.....'You're hired!' Dean exclaimed. All humour aside, as a first generation Greek Orthodox Christian, I feel great pride and honour performing in this production. I hope it is conveyed in my performance, and equally enjoyed by the audience. Enjoy the show! |
| CARL GAMBACORT Ladas | Carl studied acting at the school of Dramatic Art, University of Windsor. His most recent acting credits include the premiere of David Fraser’s’ Betting on the Riverman for the Hamilton Fringe Festival and the ACTCO award-winning production of The Magic Fire for Markham Little Theatre. Directing credits include The Tempest for Village Theatre in Waterdown. Carl teaches drama and is a founding staff member of The Karen Kain School of the Arts in Toronto. |
| FRANK JOHNSTON Dimitri | Frank has been involved in community theatre for the last thirty years. His latest roles were in Theatre Aurora’s productions of “The Glorious 12th”, The Drawer Boy”, and "Just for You". He has also appeared in plays at the Curtain Club in Richmond Hill, Howard Johnson’s in Aurora, Theatre on Main and The Old Town Hall, both in Newmarket. He appreciates the opportunity to work with Dean and Andrea as well as the talented cast and crew of “He Who Must Die”. |
| JOHN TOKATLIDIS Manolios | Highlights of John's theatrical work include roles as "Vinnie", "Tony" and "Domenic" in The Second City's presentation of Tony'n'Tina's Wedding, the role of "Johnny Nogarelli" in the well-received musical Greased Too! and the role of "Jimmy" in the critically acclaimed dark comedy Jimmy & Vito - a piece he both co-wrote and co-produced. John has also been featured in several television and film spots including The End of Silence, Mob Stories, Sweet Karma, The Border, Breakout Kings and soon to be released feature film Compulsion starring Heather Graham and Carrie Ann Moss. |
| JOHN TOWSLEY Old Man | John is serial Entrepreneur by day. His last appearance on stage was, well, in high school. When John said “I’m good for a row” (meaning a row of seats for the show), Dean heard, “I’m good for a ROLE”, and his fate was sealed. John is thrilled to be part of this production with such talented cast and team. He appreciates Dean’s faith in his ability as well as the support from his wife and family. |
| JUSTIN BORROW Michalis | Justin Borrow is a Toronto based Actor and Musician. He is a third year Theatre Major at York University and has been trained by notable Canadian actors such as Sarah Evans and Marvin Ishmael as well as voice coach Tom Bradshaw. He has both stage and film experience and was recently cast as Elijah in the short film "What About Joe?" with the Toronto Film School. His past projects have included a devised production of The Laramie Project and some of his past roles have included: Cory Jr in Back to the 80's and Oberon in a Midsummer night's dream. Justin was the recipient of the PDSB Award Of Distinction in 2010 for his outstanding work in the dramatic arts. |
| KATERINA TAXIA Katerina | Cast as Cleopatra in the Discovery Channel’s Cleopatra’s Palace, Katerina gained worldwide exposure due to the show’s appearance in 130 countries around the globe. After serving as the Queen of the Nile, Katerina played the ultimate Italian princess in the smash comedy hit Tony and Tina’s Wedding at the Second City. She has had roles on hit television shows such as Warehouse 13, Fringe, and This Is Wonderland. Most recently, she gave her time for a PSA for The Princess Margaret Hospital with Academy award nominee director Hubert Davis. Katerina is very proud and inspired to be part of such an amazing production and honoured to get to play such a pivotal role. She thanks her family for their constant support and love. |
| PAT ELIA Father Gregoris | Pat trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and apprenticed at Toronto Workshop Productions. Some favourite roles include Lewis in Shadowlands, Elwood in Harvey, Clouseau in The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Oscar in The Odd Couple, Salieri in Amadeus and Fainall in The Way of the World. His musical roles include the title in Man of La Mancha, Fiorello, The Music Man and the King in Camelot and Pirates of Penzance, Higgins in My Fair Lady, Fagin in Oliver and Applegate in Damn Yankees. Other experiences include a two-year stint as music director of The Smile Company and a short film, Sugar ’n Spice directed by David Cronenberg. Pat’s next role is the Major General in The Pirates of Penzance in early February. |
| PETER SHIPSTON Capetan Fortounas | Peter has won numerous awards as both an actor and director while performing in local community theatre for the past 20+ years. More recently he has begun doing some professional work, including spending the last two summers in Bala as part of a repertory company there (NewAct). Favourite roles include; Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey (Theatre Aurora) , Mickey in Greetings (Blackhorse Village Players), Siemi in The Good German (Shadowpath Productions), George in Same Time Next Year (NewAct), Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangerouses, and many more too numerous to name. It has been wonderful to be swept up in the passion and enthusiasm for this production engendered by Dean, his family, and all my new friends in the cast and crew. |
| SABRINA MASTRANGELO Lenio | Sabrina is a 3rd year honour student at York University studying Theatre and Psychology. She enjoys acting, dancing and singing. Selected stage credits include Rent, Miss Saigon, Grease, Chess, Footloose and High School Musical at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton and Hamlet at Hamilton Urban Theatre. She is truly honoured to be a part of such a fantastic cast. |
| SAL AGUILA Agha | Sal has been involved in acting for quite some time and has been seen throughout the city in roles as varied as Lenny Smalls in “Of Mice and Men” and Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. He was last seen in Aurora’s production of “Harvey” and also Directed Aurora’s production of “Private Lives”. He is very pleased to be working with such a talented and friendly cast, and honoured to have been asked to participate in such an extraordinary and important play. Thank you Dean and Andrea for this wonderful opportunity. |
| STEVE KASTORAS Archon Patriarcheas | Steve has been performing on stage since high school. He has performed in the Odd Couple and in many Greek community theatrical productions such as Papaflessas and Kapodistrias: historical Greek plays. In 1987, Steve played the lead role of Trygaios in Aristophanes' sarcastic comedy "Peace" and in 1997 was given a role in Woody Allen's "God". Playing the Archon in "He Who Must Die" is a wonderful opportunity to work with an incredible cast, director and producer. |
| TIM NASIOPOULOS Father Fotis | Tim Nasiopoulos is a Toronto born, Toronto trained actor and stand up comedian. He's performed alongside Tim Allen and Chevy Chase in 'Zoom' and has honed his craft at the prestigious Carter Thor Acting Studio for the last few years. Tim has been touring the country and played across the United States as a stand up comedian, opening for Comedy superstar Angelo Tsarouchas in Montreal, Toronto and most recently Chicago. |
| TOM ANASTASIOS HARALAMPIDIS Kostantes | Tom has been actively involved in the independent theatre community for the past 18 years. He has worked mainly as an actor, but has also stage-managed and directed several shows. His focus for the past six years has been primarily film, having successfully completed a short film (The Hitman Brunch) as producer and director. He teaches Acting for Film classes. Tom wishes to thank his wife Niky for her patience and support and extend his sincere gratitude to Dean for inviting him to be part of this inspiring production. |
| VANA AMANATIDIS Despina | I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful production playing the part of Despina, the nagging Greek wife of Kosta the cafe owner. No, I did not get the part because I am Dean's sister-in-law. It was my 25 years of marriage that prepared me and won me this role! What a thrill it is working with such amazing and talented actors! I am loving every minute of it. |
| VASILLIOS FILIPPAKIS Brahimaki | Vasilios Filippakis is excited to be a part of this amazing production. He is finishing his last year at York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Education. He has been in a variety of productions starting from the age of seven. This will be his tenth production but his first time in a Greek based play. He thanks his family and friends for all their support. |
| ANDREA EMMERTON Director | Andrea has been involved in theatre for many years as a director, lighting designer, and stage manager. Selected directing credits include: Dancing at Lughnasa, Shadowlands, If We Are Women, Painting Churches, Salt Water Moon, Waiting For The Parade, The Rez Sisters, Nuncrackers, I Ought To Be In Pictures,The Drawer Boy and Man of La Mancha. She worked as Community Theatre Coordinator for Theatre Ontario for seven years and was privileged to work with theatre companies across the province. Andrea is thrilled to be working with such a talented and hard working cast on the Canadian premiere of He Who Must Die. She would particularly like to thank Professor Michael Antonakes for writing this wonderful play and Dean Antonakes for entrusting her with this production which is so near and dear to his heart. |
ARIANA CHRIS The Narrator  | Internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano Ariana Chris performs leading roles in esteemed opera houses around the world including Opera Nantes Angers France, Hong Kong Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Montreal Opera, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and was for several seasons with New York City Opera. Her notable appearances include representing Greece at the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, singing the Polish National Premiere of Ariadne auf Naxos with Opera Baltycka for Mezzo Television broadcast in 39 countries and performing the Greek National Anthem for an audience of millions at the Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. |
BILL CHAMBERS Panayotaros  | When I was asked by Dean Antonakes about my experience in live theatre, I replied 'I have several years experience with drama and Greek tragedy; in my prior marriage'.....'You're hired!' Dean exclaimed. All humour aside, as a first generation Greek Orthodox Christian, I feel great pride and honour performing in this production. I hope it is conveyed in my performance, and equally enjoyed by the audience. Enjoy the show! |
CARL GAMBACORT Ladas  | Carl studied acting at the school of Dramatic Art, University of Windsor. His most recent acting credits include the premiere of David Fraser’s’ Betting on the Riverman for the Hamilton Fringe Festival and the ACTCO award-winning production of The Magic Fire for Markham Little Theatre. Directing credits include The Tempest for Village Theatre in Waterdown. Carl teaches drama and is a founding staff member of The Karen Kain School of the Arts in Toronto. |
| FRANK JOHNSTON Dimitri  | Frank has been involved in community theatre for the last thirty years. His latest roles were in Theatre Aurora’s productions of “The Glorious 12th”, The Drawer Boy”, and "Just for You". He has also appeared in plays at the Curtain Club in Richmond Hill, Howard Johnson’s in Aurora, Theatre on Main and The Old Town Hall, both in Newmarket. He appreciates the opportunity to work with Dean and Andrea as well as the talented cast and crew of “He Who Must Die”. |
JOHN TOKATLIDIS Manolios  | Highlights of John's theatrical work include roles as "Vinnie", "Tony" and "Domenic" in The Second City's presentation of Tony'n'Tina's Wedding, the role of "Johnny Nogarelli" in the well-received musical Greased Too! and the role of "Jimmy" in the critically acclaimed dark comedy Jimmy & Vito - a piece he both co-wrote and co-produced. John has also been featured in several television and film spots including The End of Silence, Mob Stories, Sweet Karma, The Border, Breakout Kings and soon to be released feature film Compulsion starring Heather Graham and Carrie Ann Moss. |
| JOHN TOWSLEY Old Man  | John is serial Entrepreneur by day. His last appearance on stage was, well, in high school. When John said “I’m good for a row” (meaning a row of seats for the show), Dean heard, “I’m good for a ROLE”, and his fate was sealed. John is thrilled to be part of this production with such talented cast and team. He appreciates Dean’s faith in his ability as well as the support from his wife and family. |
JUSTIN BORROW Michalis  | Justin Borrow is a Toronto based Actor and Musician. He is a third year Theatre Major at York University and has been trained by notable Canadian actors such as Sarah Evans and Marvin Ishmael as well as voice coach Tom Bradshaw. He has both stage and film experience and was recently cast as Elijah in the short film "What About Joe?" with the Toronto Film School. His past projects have included a devised production of The Laramie Project and some of his past roles have included: Cory Jr in Back to the 80's and Oberon in a Midsummer night's dream. Justin was the recipient of the PDSB Award Of Distinction in 2010 for his outstanding work in the dramatic arts. |
KATERINA TAXIA Katerina  | Cast as Cleopatra in the Discovery Channel’s Cleopatra’s Palace, Katerina gained worldwide exposure due to the show’s appearance in 130 countries around the globe. After serving as the Queen of the Nile, Katerina played the ultimate Italian princess in the smash comedy hit Tony and Tina’s Wedding at the Second City. She has had roles on hit television shows such as Warehouse 13, Fringe, and This Is Wonderland. Most recently, she gave her time for a PSA for The Princess Margaret Hospital with Academy award nominee director Hubert Davis. Katerina is very proud and inspired to be part of such an amazing production and honoured to get to play such a pivotal role. She thanks her family for their constant support and love. |
PAT ELIA Father Gregoris  | Pat trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and apprenticed at Toronto Workshop Productions. Some favourite roles include Lewis in Shadowlands, Elwood in Harvey, Clouseau in The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Oscar in The Odd Couple, Salieri in Amadeus and Fainall in The Way of the World. His musical roles include the title in Man of La Mancha, Fiorello, The Music Man and the King in Camelot and Pirates of Penzance, Higgins in My Fair Lady, Fagin in Oliver and Applegate in Damn Yankees. Other experiences include a two-year stint as music director of The Smile Company and a short film, Sugar ’n Spice directed by David Cronenberg. Pat’s next role is the Major General in The Pirates of Penzance in early February. |
PETER SHIPSTON Capetan Fortounas  | Peter has won numerous awards as both an actor and director while performing in local community theatre for the past 20+ years. More recently he has begun doing some professional work, including spending the last two summers in Bala as part of a repertory company there (NewAct). Favourite roles include; Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey (Theatre Aurora) , Mickey in Greetings (Blackhorse Village Players), Siemi in The Good German (Shadowpath Productions), George in Same Time Next Year (NewAct), Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangerouses, and many more too numerous to name. It has been wonderful to be swept up in the passion and enthusiasm for this production engendered by Dean, his family, and all my new friends in the cast and crew. |
SABRINA MASTRANGELO Lenio  | Sabrina is a 3rd year honour student at York University studying Theatre and Psychology. She enjoys acting, dancing and singing. Selected stage credits include Rent, Miss Saigon, Grease, Chess, Footloose and High School Musical at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton and Hamlet at Hamilton Urban Theatre. She is truly honoured to be a part of such a fantastic cast. |
SAL AGUILA Agha  | Sal has been involved in acting for quite some time and has been seen throughout the city in roles as varied as Lenny Smalls in “Of Mice and Men” and Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. He was last seen in Aurora’s production of “Harvey” and also Directed Aurora’s production of “Private Lives”. He is very pleased to be working with such a talented and friendly cast, and honoured to have been asked to participate in such an extraordinary and important play. Thank you Dean and Andrea for this wonderful opportunity. |
STEVE KASTORAS Archon Patriarcheas  | Steve has been performing on stage since high school. He has performed in the Odd Couple and in many Greek community theatrical productions such as Papaflessas and Kapodistrias: historical Greek plays. In 1987, Steve played the lead role of Trygaios in Aristophanes' sarcastic comedy "Peace" and in 1997 was given a role in Woody Allen's "God". Playing the Archon in "He Who Must Die" is a wonderful opportunity to work with an incredible cast, director and producer. |
TIM NASIOPOULOS Father Fotis  | Tim Nasiopoulos is a Toronto born, Toronto trained actor and stand up comedian. He's performed alongside Tim Allen and Chevy Chase in 'Zoom' and has honed his craft at the prestigious Carter Thor Acting Studio for the last few years. Tim has been touring the country and played across the United States as a stand up comedian, opening for Comedy superstar Angelo Tsarouchas in Montreal, Toronto and most recently Chicago. |
TOM ANASTASIOS HARALAMPIDIS Kostantes  | Tom has been actively involved in the independent theatre community for the past 18 years. He has worked mainly as an actor, but has also stage-managed and directed several shows. His focus for the past six years has been primarily film, having successfully completed a short film (The Hitman Brunch) as producer and director. He teaches Acting for Film classes. Tom wishes to thank his wife Niky for her patience and support and extend his sincere gratitude to Dean for inviting him to be part of this inspiring production. |
| VANA AMANATIDIS Despina  | I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful production playing the part of Despina, the nagging Greek wife of Kosta the cafe owner. No, I did not get the part because I am Dean's sister-in-law. It was my 25 years of marriage that prepared me and won me this role! What a thrill it is working with such amazing and talented actors! I am loving every minute of it. |
VASILLIOS FILIPPAKIS Brahimaki  | Vasilios Filippakis is excited to be a part of this amazing production. He is finishing his last year at York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Education. He has been in a variety of productions starting from the age of seven. This will be his tenth production but his first time in a Greek based play. He thanks his family and friends for all their support. |
ANDREA EMMERTON Director  | Andrea has been involved in theatre for many years as a director, lighting designer, and stage manager. Selected directing credits include: Dancing at Lughnasa, Shadowlands, If We Are Women, Painting Churches, Salt Water Moon, Waiting For The Parade, The Rez Sisters, Nuncrackers, I Ought To Be In Pictures,The Drawer Boy and Man of La Mancha. She worked as Community Theatre Coordinator for Theatre Ontario for seven years and was privileged to work with theatre companies across the province. Andrea is thrilled to be working with such a talented and hard working cast on the Canadian premiere of He Who Must Die. She would particularly like to thank Professor Michael Antonakes for writing this wonderful play and Dean Antonakes for entrusting her with this production which is so near and dear to his heart. |
HE WHO MUST DIE - Past, Present & Future
The past…
My father, Professor Michael Antonakes, read Nikos Kazantzakis’ Zorba the Greek in 1948. I remember him saying that the book “changed my life forever”. He had recently returned from military service in WWII. A combat marine at Okinawa, Dad had visited his first Buddhist monastery there and was drawn to Kazantzakis’ respect for Eastern religion and his on-going search for God.
Soon after, Dad read Kazantzakis’ Christ Re-Crucified. While studying for his Ph.D. at NYU and working as a Broadway equity actor, he decided to translate and adapt the book for the stage, working on the script for five years from 1952-1957. Prior to launching his first studio performance of his new play, He Who Must Die, he wrote to Nikos Kazantzakis and asked his permission. Just a few months before his death in March 1957, Kazantzakis wrote him back:
“I can see that you understand very well how difficult it is to write a theatrical work based on my novel, Christ Re-crucified. Since you are Greek and say how much you love the theater and especially, how much you have worked and continue to work in the theater and in television, I would like to permit you to try, that is, to do a theatrical presentation of The Greek Passion for the Studio -- The Herbert Berghof Studio.”
Dad directed and played the role of the Christ figure, Manolios in this first studio production of his stage adaptation. The run was a great success, but Nikos Kazantzakis died on opening night and left an indelible mark on my father’s literary, theatrical and academic careers.
In 1960, the year my sister Paula was born, my father took the next step with He Who Must Die. It was staged again at the prestigious Yale School of Drama. This event was marked as the “the first production of a modern Greek play in the United States”. The play was universally heralded as a triumph:
“The production is a moving and absorbing thesis on the philosophy that human beings are incapable of dealing with a saint; that the common good too often appears to be endangered by extraordinary and purely un-self-centered goodness.
The play is an outstanding artistic triumph of a sort a hundred fold more inspiring and satisfactory than is usually seen on the professional stage.”
- Waterbury Republican
“He Who Must Die is striking -- in its message and in its mounting. It represents an impressive undertaking and an exceptional measure of professionalism. It is an opportunity New Haven theater-goers should not miss. It would seem to offer a pattern for commercial production which Broadway can hardly attempt to neglect.”
- New Haven Evening Register
In 1962, soon after I was born, my parents moved to Greece for two years. Dad was studying at the University of Athens on a Fulbright scholarship. He was completing his doctoral theses on Kazantzakis and Christ. We would return to Boston, with Dad teaching English & Classics at Salem State University. In 1972, He Who Must Die was staged again at the Salem State University Theatre, in a sold-out, eight-performance run. At nine years old, I saw my father on the stage for the first time, in the powerful role of Capetan Fortounas. I have been infected with the theater bug ever since.
I remember meeting Mrs. Eleni Kazantzakis, who travelled from Greece to see the play, and Dad reinforcing my Greek school lessons with private tutoring on how to shake hands politely and say “Xero Poli”. Thank God the play impressed her more than my Greek did! She was later quoted in the local newspapers, saying “He Who Must Die is the best dramatic adaptation of my husband’s work I have seen”. She insisted that the play be displayed permanently in the Nikos Kazantzakis museum on Crete.
She maintained a friendship in letters with my father until her death. Here is my favorite letter from 1972:
Bravo, my dear Mr. Antonakes!
I still remember with much emotion the beautiful performance of “Christ Re-Crucified” and the good times we shared together. I hope my presence was useful to some end.
I am sending you all my good wishes. I hope to see you again and to be able to rejoice in your performance, unforgettable Capetan Fortounas.
With many friendly regards to your wife Elaine and to our good friends,
Eleni Kazantzakis
Perhaps what influenced me the most about the 1972 production of He Who Must Die was a new element that was added to the play: an original score of Greek music, written by my second cousin, Paul Demakis. Just seventeen years old at the time, Paul came over to our house and played the music he had composed for my father ‘s play on our piano. I learned “Paul’s Music” by ear the next day, and have played it ever since. It is my favorite music (even more than the Beatles - which is the highest praise I can offer) because of its beauty, passion, and emotion.
In 1979, my father staged another play called “Man from Crete” a collage of the life’s work of Nikos Kazantzakis. At 17 years old, and by then an experienced high-school actor, I had the chance to share the stage with my father, and two wonderful actors from He Who Must Die – Tom Luddy (who played father Gregoris) and Jack Marshall (who played Manolios). At the time, I did not fully understand the true value my father was offering me, both by example and shared experience. I get it now.
The present…
Actually, it started two years ago. I have always dreamed about producing He Who Must Die as a tribute to my father’s work. Dad says that after spending over fifty years of his life studying, dramatizing, lecturing and writing about Nikos Kazantzakis, “I never made a penny off Kazantzakis, but I am a better man for it”. My production of He Who Must Die will be his lifetime achievement award, and mark the 40th anniversary of his last staging of the play in 1972.
I think, subconsciously, I have been preparing for this journey for the past 5-7 years. Or perhaps since I was nine years old, I was being prepared to produce this play: the piano lessons, the Greek lessons (however ineffective) the drama work, a Greek Classical education, and an engrained love of theatre and the performing arts. It’s like the chicken and the egg! For years, I have been producing charity, musical stage concerts with my children to help develop their musical and performing skills – like my parents had done for me. In 2009, we produced “Life Goes On – A Beatles Journey” at the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre, raising $10,000 for the Southlake Cancer Centre in Newmarket.
So two years ago, my wife Nina said to me, “Dean, you should produce your father’s play”. I just smiled. I asked my Dad or a copy of the He Who Must Diescript, which he had updated and enhanced over the years, and delegated the task of typing the script into a Word document to my daughter Demi and niece Christine.
Ok, so I had an excellent and inspiring script… Now the choice of the Theatre was easy. I wanted the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts again, because it is gorgeous with an intimate 600 seats. Plus I had done a show there before and knew their excellent staff. Their Technical Director, Graham Maxwell, agreed to design our set, which creates a Greek village under Turkish occupation in 1922 on a colossal scale.
Next, raising the money. When I committed to producing the play, I decided that it had to be a no-compromise endeavor. My father had last produced the play on a tiny university theatrical budget, and sold tickets for $1.00! I wanted to bring his vision to life again on a grand scale both as a major Greek cultural event and as an opportunity to raise money for several local charities. So Nina and I spent over a year raising money with the goal of funding the play’s $100,000 budget, and allowing all our ticket revenue to be pure profit for our three charities: the AHEPA Toronto Scholarship Fund, the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, and the Geneva Centre for Autism. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we are almost 75% to our goal of raising the money. It is very important to understand that no one is getting paid here. Our cast and production team are all volunteers. My father and cousin Paul have waived all royalties, and even Kazantzakis Publications, who granted me the Canadian rights to stage the production, has waived their royalties out of respect to my father’s work.
Perhaps the greatest challenge in producing a play with a cast of 40 actors is the casting. I recruited a wonderful and sensitive director, Andrea Emmerton who brings over 25 years of directing experience to our production. Together, we spent four months casting the play, with the best professional and semi-professional actors we could find. We are thrilled with the results. Eleven of our seventeen speaking roles are cast to talented Greek-Canadian actors.
We are honored to have the renowned Mezzo Soprano Ariana Chris in our cast, in the role of the Narrator. The acclaimed guitarist Pavlo helped us re-record the musical score – brining my cousin Paul’s music to new heights of expression and sensitivity.
Our cast and creative team will bring the play to life with drama, humor, and most of all, extraordinary passion.
Here is a synopsis of the play. It is performed entirely in English, as my father wanted to educate a North American audience about the works of Nikos Kazantzakis. The play begins with a powerful video chronology of Modern Greek history from 2012 back to 1922, produced by my son Michael.
The setting He Who Must Dieis the Greek village of Lycovrissi in Asia Minor, which is under Turkish occupation in 1922. The village stages a passion play every seven years. The village council casts a shepherd boy to play Jesus. The town saddle-maker is chosen as Judas. The village widow plays Mary Magdalene. The rest of the disciples are also chosen. As the play unfolds, the Passion Play becomes a reality. A group of Greek refugees, uprooted and impoverished after uprising against their Turkish overlords, arrive in Lycovrissi led by their priest. The wealthier citizens of the town want nothing to do with the refugees and cast them out -- but the shepherd boy and his disciples intercede. In the context of the 1920's each of the characters plays out their biblical role in actuality. The play is a testament to the Greek independent spirit and showcases Greek music, dance, culture, history and faith.
Rehearsals have already started, construction of our set has begun, and we are preparing for our performances on January 4-6, 2013. It is the greatest theatrical challenge of my life to bring honor to my father’s prior production that was met with universal acclaim. I will not let him or our audience down. Instead, they will witness an original work, with an original score of music, in a world-class theatre, with an awesome set and an excellent company of actors.
The future:
“…a pattern for commercial production which Broadway can hardly attempt to neglect.”
Dean M Antonakes, of D Major Productions, is the producer and artistic/music director of HE WHO MUST DIE which is will be staged in a six-performance run on January 4-6 2013 at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available now, online at www.dmajorproductions.com.
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