ASTORIA – Cyprus New York Productions presented the Hellenic Youth Show Choir of Phyto Stratis in the theatrical concert ‘Allos Me Tin Varka Mas’ on June 26 at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria. The charming show, held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in New York and the Consulate General of Cyprus in New York, featured the youngsters singing the title song by Stratis along with popular Greek songs from the films of the late beloved Greek actress and singer Aliki Vougiouklaki.
‘Allos Me Tin Varka Mas’ truly captured the spirit of those whimsical films, transporting the audience to the idealized seaside of Greece and Cyprus with the youthful voices highlighting the joy and optimism of a bygone era.
Stratis gave the welcoming remarks, noting that for this musical journey all the audience members would need was the ticket handed out as they entered the theatre and a smile.
Left to right: Consul of Greece in New York Petros Dorizas, Hellenic Youth Show Choir Music and Artistic Director Phyto Stratis, and Consul General of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
Following the show and an extended round of enthusiastic applause from the audience, Stratis thanked all those present for attending, the parents for bringing their children to the choir each week, the sponsors, Andreas Comodromos, Diamanto Sakellis, Despina Axiotakis, the Greek-American Homeowners Association, Maria Pappas, Nicolas and Lisa Nicolaou, and Savas Tsivicos, the Cyprus Productions Board members, as well as the colleagues who helped with the production, including Giota Antonopoulou.
Stratis noted that ‘Allos Me Tin Varka Mas’, with the lyrics and music he composed, is the choir’s first song, since the youth choir began about a year and a half ago, and with an arrangement by Aris Antoniades, Cypriot composer, arranger, orchestrator, and music director, it will be recorded in the fall and released as their first song.
Cyprus New York Productions presented the Hellenic Youth Show Choir of Phyto Stratis in the theatrical concert ‘Allos Me Tin Varka Mas’ on June 26. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
He also noted that this year marks 30 years since the passing of Vougiouklaki, who loved working with children, even as other actors fear it. She was surrounded by children in her final appearance on stage in the touring production of the Greek version of ‘The Sound of Music’ and a few of its famous songs were part of the evening’s program, including an energetic version of ‘Do Re Mi’.
Among those present at the sold out show were Consul General of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis and Consul of Greece in New York Petros Dorizas, who joined Stratis on stage to present the certificates to the children of the Choir.
Phyto Stratis and Ismini Michaels following the show on June 26. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
Also present were Pancyprian Association Cultural Division President Ismini Michaels, members of the Pancyprian Choir of New York, family and friends.
The event concluded with best wishes for the summer and everyone looking forward to the Hellenic Youth Show Choir’s next production.
Cyprus New York Productions presented the Hellenic Youth Show Choir of Phyto Stratis in the theatrical concert ‘Allos Me Tin Varka Mas’ on June 26. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
Cyprus New York Productions presented the Hellenic Youth Show Choir of Phyto Stratis in the theatrical concert ‘Allos Me Tin Varka Mas’ on June 26. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
