Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Marine Vardanyan
Staff Writer
Love and laughter are the perfect ingredients for a happy life; they also make for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon. On Sunday, February 26, the Ardavazt Theater Group from Los Angeles paid a visit to the Armenian community of Fresno, bringing with them the invaluable gift of love and laughter with their comedy play, “Ser Yev Dzidzagh” by Yervand Odian.
“Ser Yev Dzidzagh” is a play that combines three of Odian’s works into one hilarious two-act comedy. Fresno’s Armenian community came together at Fresno High School’s auditorium to enjoy one of America’s best Armenian theater companies, sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Fresno Chapter, and the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School.
The play takes place in Bolis (Constantinople) during the late 19th century, and describes the chaos that arises with the task of matchmaking a wealthy family’s daughter, Vartuhi. Concerned parents, Yevpimeh and Artin Agha can’t seem to agree on which suitor would be best for their daughter, as each of them are being persuaded by a different matchmaker—both matchmakers hoping to make money from their expertise.
The father is in favor of a young man, Agripas, while the mother favors the doctor from France, Shavarsh. What the mother, father, and both matchmakers don’t know, is that Vartuhi has already made her decision, and it is neither Shavarsh nor Agripas. Instead it is Edward, a young man from America. The play follows the conniving actions of all the characters, but most importantly shadows the actions of Edward and Vartuhi, who are both conspiring to end up with one another.
The dynamic characters of this play were each unique and silly, never ceasing to amuse the audience. The performance had such great acting that even if one didn’t understand the language, the performance was sufficient enough to make the play enjoyable and entertaining.
Along with the talented acting, the comedy had singing, beautiful Armenian folk music, and scenic backgrounds, all of which added to the perfection of the play.
“It is always a joy to have an Armenian play performed in Fresno…the acting was wonderful and we all enjoyed it,” stated Zhora Hakobyan.
Abraham Kendoyan, who first watched this same play in Beirut, Lebanon, commented “In Beirut, we thirst for Armenian plays and it is also the same here in America.”
Not only did the Armenian community spend a wonderful Sunday enjoying the play, but they also showed their support for the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, as proceeds went to the school.