ASTORIA – Porphyra’s ‘Princess Anna of Byzantium: The Rock Musical’ entertained, educated, and kept the audience glued to their seats at Astoria’s Thespis Theater at the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center (HCC) on May 10. The show was produced by the Porphyra Foundation. Set in the year 988 AD, the Heroic Age of Basil II, Emperor of Byzantium, the story chronicles Basil II’s sister Princess Anna Porphyrogenita, and her world-rocking marriage to Grand Prince Vladimir of the Kievan Rus. The story of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita is told through Hard Rock and Metal and a full Greek Folk orchestra.
The show’s book was written by Vassilios “Billy” Chrissochos and Despina Chrissochos and contains original songs and compositions by Vassilios Chrissochos. Additional musical compositions are by Mike “Risko” Savvas, Christos Alexandrou, Chris Pollatos, Tracey Beavers, and Grzegorz “Greg” Swirszcz. ‘Princess Anna of Byzantium’ was directed by two longtime show collaborators, Thea Gibbs and Christos Alexandrou. The sound and technical production was spearheaded by Aaditya Pandit along with John Rup and Jeff Rossbach. The Projection design was set by Christos Alexandrou and Thea Gibbs, and the Lights by HCC Artistic Director Alexandros Ammohostianos. The Prop and Costume Master was Despina Chrissochos. Belly dancing choreography was created and performed by Dorit.
The show successfully showcases the Medieval Greek world, otherwise known as the Byzantine Empire, and its glorious Macedonian Dynasty. A subject not well known to the greater non-academic world. The show began as ‘Anna and Vladimir’ and was showcased 10 years ago at Carnegie Hall, followed by performances Off Broadway at The Player’s Theater, Flushing Town Hall, and St. Demetrios Greek American School in Astoria.
In this new telling, the musical focuses on Princess Anna Porphyrogenita, played by the sensational Elaine Tuttle. Anna is the sister of Emperor Basil II Porphyrogenitos (aka the Bulgarslayer) of Byzantium, who is masterfully performed by Christos Alexandrou. Anna is a princess destined to rule who has to make a sacrifice. She has to leave her land to save it from a crippling civil war by marrying a northern Slavic Russian Pagan prince, here performed for the first time by Demetri Karais. Vladimir will also go into the annals of history as Vladimir the Great, equal to the Apostles, along with his grandmother, the wise Princess Olga of Kiev, portrayed here by the graceful Dorit.
The show has two other delightful characters who serve as the Historians. The first is the famous children’s author and historian of Greece’s Macedonian struggle and Byzantium, Penelope Delta, performed by Despina Chrissochos. The second is Byzantine Macedonian court historian Michael Psellos, performed by Robert Sulea. The production is dedicated to the electric guitar pioneer Epaminondas “Epi” Stathopoulos, founder of Epiphone guitars.
The musicians who serve as the backbone of the show are Billy Chrissochos on guitar, Mike Savvas on guitar and tzoura, David Gibbs on bass, Rex Rossbach on drums, Richard Khuzami on percussion, John Themelis on violin, Vassilios Vassiliadis on laouto, and Sophia Theodorou on flute. Also, participating were our youngest show members, Triantafyllia and Theoni Chrissochos. Front of house was manned by Christa Gibbs.
“A special thank you must go out to our sponsors, Mediterranean Foods NYC, and the Tribunella and Pollatos families,” Billy Chrissochos said in a statement. “‘Princess Anna of Byzantium: The Rock Musical’ is a musical experience through Greek history. It is a UNESCO Piraeus and International Action Art awarded production. Our goal is to take the production to Broadway!”
Music featured in the show is from Porphyra’s three albums: ‘Faith, Struggle, Victory’, ‘The Starmaker’s Prophecy’, ‘1821’, and also Phoenix Reign’s ‘Destination Unknown’.
All albums available on iTunes, Apple Music, iHeart Radio, Spotify and many other outlets. Hear the new album ‘1821’ on porphyra.hearnow.com.
Vassilios Chrissochos is Chairperson of the AHEPA Cultural Commission, Director of Hellenism of AHEPA District 6, UNESCO Piraeus NY Director of Modern Music, and Porphyra Director.
More information is available online: www.porphyrafoundation.org.
