WATERTOWN, Mass.—After two hit theatrical productions, what does one do for an encore?
If you’re Hourig Papazian-Sahagian, you keep the wheels of mobility turning.
The 87-year-old executive producer/director is relentless in her pursuit to tell the Armenian story through dignified stage work, music, and a bit of sass.
It’s not always easy working with a group of amateurs, but she’s managed to turn the diamond in her rough into a sparkling jewel with an ensemble that calls itself “The Way We Were.”
Her latest performance of “The Hye Legion: The Gamavor Story” on Nov. 10 at St. Stephen’s Church was played to a standing ovation.
The event was sponsored by the Ladies Guild, which left no stone unturned with a reception that followed. More than 100 attended the 75-minute musical and there wasn’t a passive moment in the crowd.
When asked how many had Gamavors (Legionnaires) in their family, half the audience stood to its feet wearing star medallions made especially for the occasion.
“The bus trip from New Jersey was just as spirited as the production,” she reported. “We have three generations tightly woven together and they collaborate very well.”
The Watertown appearance of “Gamavor” marked the 5th for this 35-member ensemble with previous New England stops at North Andover and Providence, R.I.
Prior to this, the group enjoyed rave reviews with “Hello Ellis Island,” a story also done to music on the immigration process following the genocide years. This, too, hit home with its libretto.
If anything, Papazian-Sahagian is mulling a third script—this one having to do with the melting pot theory and assimilation. Although still in the working brain, the playwright feels it has identity power with folks, particularly inside the American mainstream.
“Who hasn’t gone through it?” she asks. “We’ve all tried to keep our kids ethnically sound and adherent to their roots. It could be the perfect scenario for another show. I’m giving that some thought.”
So excited was the octogenarian after the show, she barely had a moment to enjoy her choreg and coffee. People approached her to offer their appreciation. Tiring as it was playing the keyboard and directing her cast, she greeted one and all with her usual charm.
“Judging by the emotional reaction of Gamavor relatives in attendance during all our shows, it’s safe to say that if Gamavor veterans were alive today, they would take pride in the knowledge that they have finally emerged from the faded pages of forgotten history,” she added.
Rev. Archpriest Antranig Baljian welcomed the gathering to his church, calling the Gamavors an integral part of America’s history and the catalyst behind its liberation movement during World War II.
“It was a very emotional time for those living in the diaspora to send their loved ones off to war in the homeland,” he said. “The courage and humanity of these unsung heroes epitomizes our strength and vitality as a nation serving God.”
Special thanks went to the Guild and Sona Aslanian for their efforts in bringing the troupe to Watertown.
Tom Vartabedian
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Great article & pictures on the Gamavor performance at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church by Tom Vartabedian. We enjoyed the same performance at St. Gregory’s Armenian Church last year in No. Andover, Mass. Well done.