TSANKAPAT
Alex Theatre216 N Brand Blvd, Los Angeles 91203
TSANKAPAT presents The Fence (Ցանկապատ), a theatrical production adapted from Stepan Zoryan’s short story of the same name. The evening brings Mkrtich Arzumanyan, Artsrun Harutyunyan, Tigran Gyulumyan, Astghik Abajyan, Karin Tsaturyan, and Arus Grigoryan to the Alex Theatre stage. Gyulumyan both wrote and directed this version, giving the event the focus of a staged dramatic work rather than a concert. It is presented in the Alex’s formal 1,300-seat auditorium, a former vaudeville and movie house whose stage is framed by Greek and Egyptian-inspired ornament.
The production is billed as a well-loved work with a distinctive format and powerful performances, and its listing says it has already reached thousands of audience members. Its literary starting point is Zoryan’s short story, while this staging carries Gyulumyan’s dual authorship as writer and director. The billed cast includes actors associated specifically with this performance, with no separate musical lineup or supporting act announced. For audiences seeking Armenian-language theatre, this is a full evening built around a single dramatic adaptation and its ensemble cast.
The Alex Theatre’s unusual claim to fame is its atmospheric auditorium: Greek and Egyptian-inspired details create the illusion of an open-air garden, beneath the theatre’s distinctive 100-foot neon tower. Opened in 1925 as a vaudeville and movie house, it now presents concerts and a broad program of performing arts at 216 North Brand Boulevard in downtown Glendale. Expect a formal theatre evening in a large, roughly 1,300-seat auditorium, with reserved seats and a stage framed by ornate decoration. Shows are ticketed, so check the event listing for seats and details before you go. Concessions are available, and Brand Boulevard’s restaurants and cafes make it easy to plan dinner nearby. The Alex is still operating and listing upcoming performances.