THE LA MAMA CANTATA Returns, 12/29 & 30

THE LA MAMA CANTATA is a musical depiction of the life and times of Ellen Stewart, La MaMa's late founder and artistic director, with a text comprised of Ms. Stewart's own words and those of others who wrote about and knew the legendary woman affectionately called "Mama."

As it travels through several decades of Ms. Stewart's and La MaMa's inseparable histories -- beginning with Ms. Stewart's arrival in New York from Louisiana via Chicago and her early career as a fashion designer for Saks Fifth Avenue -- THE LA MAMA CANTATA captures the tenor of those seminal times in the 50's and 60's when it seemed wildly improbable that a woman of color could open a theatre "dedicated to the playwright and all aspects of the theatre," thus creating the off-off-Broadway movement.

Ellen Stewart began La MaMa -- her 'pushcart' as she called it -- in a storefront in the East Village in 1961. With her indomitable spirit in a neighborhood she loved, she built La MaMa into an internationally renowned theatre company that is presently celebrating its 50th anniversary season.

Written, composed and directed by Elizabeth Swados -- one of Ellen's
'babies' whose professional relationship with Ms. Stewart dates back to when
Swados was an aspiring 18-year-old folk musician -- LA MAMA CANTATA is performed
by a cast of 18 accompanied by a piano and percussion ensemble.

As noted by numerous audience members, the joyous, breathtaking manner in
which the ensemble of young performers -- most of them too young to have had
but little experience at La MaMa or in the company of Ms. Stewart -- brings
to life the character and spirit of the theatre and its founder is a
testament to the timelessness of both.

In his review in Nytheatre.com, Martin Denton noted, "Like the best works
at La MaMa over the years, the CANTATA is a dazzling showcase of diversity
and imagination. The cast of 18 is alarmingly talented. They communicate
Ellen's words, commentary for her collaborators, along with passages from St.
John and Corinthians to honor Ms. Stewart's spiritual side with passion and
joy. Swados' score is magnificently varied, and filled with emotion."

THE LA MAMA CANTATA was given its world premiere on Monday, November 7, on
what would have been Ms. Stewart's 92nd birthday. Ms. Stewart died at age
91 in January 2011.

About THE LA MAMA CANTATA, Ms. Swados says, 'It is as funny as it is
celebratory and a memorial to Ellen. It's about La MaMa and its philosophies and
influences on world theatre. The music is meant to reflect the whole world
and the many uses of rhythm and voice at La MaMa through the years. La MaMa
is a magical place and being part of it is like going around the world."

Ms. Swados also notes, "Since Ellen had such a vast multifaceted
incomprehensible character, I didn't dare try at this stage to cast one woman to
depict her. It's more fun and more like her to have six people playing her,
including one guy. I hope this technique will give the audience a sense of what
a rare, beautiful and crazy-making world it was to be in her presence."