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12 WWW.UNWLA.ORG “ НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ ”, ТРАВЕНЬ 2020 Ukrainian Touring Tr oupe “Rizba” Held Captive, Performances of Forest Treasures Cancelled by Walter (Vlodko) Kasian freelance correspondent and photographer for the Ukrayins'ka Zhartivlyva Presa April 1, 2020, Shrewsbury, N . J. The coronavirus crisis has created many problems for our society , from strict travel restrictions and mandatory quar- antines to a life threatening illness. Especially af- fected are independent performing arti sts. Such is the unf ortunate case with the highly acclaimed Ukrainian Touring Troupe “Rizba,” currently be- ing held captive in a lockdown at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury, N.J. Rizba’s daily performance of their Лісові Скарби (Forest Treasures) since M arch 1, which delighted many library visitors, was suddenly curtailed on March 14 when the library closed its doors to the public and staff. The library’s website announced that the closure was a “caution in response to the COVID - 19 situation . ” This left t he troupe, which overnighted in the library, locked and stranded within its confines. This situation also left the Rizba organizers in a scheduling dilemma for future troupe performances in New Jersey . Direct contac t with the Rizba cast could not be made since cell phone use was prohibited in the library. However, library administrators indi- cated that the entire cast is in good health and also well taken care of. While the last day of perfor- mance was scheduled for Ma rch 31, an extension is probable after t he library reopens. This now leaves open the question if some cast members will want to continue with the tour or return home after this long separation from their families. The Rizba troupe was the brainchild of UN WLA Branch 98, Middletown/Holmdel, N.J., and Лісові Скарби ( Forest Treasures ) was produced and staged by five talented S oyuzanky (Luba Kasian, Nadia Jaworiw, Halya Lojko, Olga Kobryn, and Christine Fedun) with the aid of the library’s theatrical coordinator, Kim. Лісові Скарби relates intimate a nd he art warming sto - ries, through vignettes and mimes, about the de - velopment, style, history, and craft of the Ukrain - ian woodcarver (rizb ar). It is a performance in two acts with many captivating scenes. One scene invites audience participation — cast membe rs dr essed as chess pieces arrange themselves in an intricate but solvable arrangement on a chess board and the audience is asked to identify the one single move which would result in “checkmate.” “Such staging ingenuity!” remarked one chess afi- cionado sit ting in the audience. The Rizba troupe includes a cast of over 75 members carefully selected for their innate tal- ents. They all have the amazing ability to mimic, contort, and disguise themselves as unique pieces of Ukrainian woodcarvings. Such unique and spe- c ial talent leaves viewers in awe of their ability for complete stillness while displaying and reenacting a rich Ukrainian folk art form. Future perfor- mances of the Rizba troupe should not be missed by the general public when life and routine gets back to “ normal.” Hopefully, the hiatus caused by COVID - 19 will be over soon with the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian artistic talent moving for- ward to even greater heights! Rizba ensemble in full costume, Forest Treasures Act 1. Photo by W. Kasian
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