Stamford's Wyant Directs 'Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera' at Carnegie Hall

Critically acclaimed director and long-time Stamford resident Donna McLaughlin Wyant is making her directorial debut at Carnegie Hall with Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera on May 3. Wyant, who has an extensive career as an actress in theatre and film, is also an Emmy and CLIO award-winning writer and producer. Her songwriting has earned her a Grammy Certificate, as well as numerous other industry awards.

Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera combines the hard rock and metal of Billy Chrissochos’ band, Porphyra with a love story rich in Greek history and folk music. The eclectic and dramatic result is a sexy musical romp through the Greek, Russian, and greater Mediterranean world, depicting one of the most compelling moments in Greek and world history. It captivates audiences as it tells its story of Anna And Vladimir, two lovers who influenced the fate of empires with a ‘love that rocked the world’.

Porphyra takes the audience on an epic musical journey from the triumphs of Alexander the Great to the glories of Byzantium. The musical tells the story of Grand Prince Vladimir of Kievan Rus, the first Russian Empire, and Princess Anna Porphyrogenita of Constantinople, princess of Byzantium, the cultural beacon of the Mediterranean. They meet and fall in love in the tumultuous year of 988 AD, during Western Europe’s Dark Ages. The electric guitar, in joyous harmony with bouzouki and violin, sings the dreams and ambitions of the two lovers who alter the course of history. A 12-piece rock orchestra, actors and dazzling belly dances complete the spectacular showcase.

International recording artist, Christos Alexandrou narrates the show and contributes lead and Greek vocals. Alexandrou’s multiple appearances on Broadway include playing the leading role in Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years, and in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar. He also played the role of the Phantom in the promotional campaign of the movie The Phantom of the Opera, and in 2012, collaborated with Warner Music and released the single “Freak For Your Love.”

Based on the epic album Faith, Struggle, Victory by the band Porphyra, the musical also features new musical compositions by Wyant, Alexandrou, Chrissochos and Dimitris Lambrianos, and Greek folk songs. Besides Chrissochos and Alexandrou, the cast includes George Tsalikis, Elaine Tuttle, Demetrios John Tsinopoulos, Mike Savvas, Paul Cerni, Frank Pace, Richard S. Khuzami, Meredith Bogacz, Lambrianos, Dena Stevens and several dancers from the Dena Stevens Shazadi Dance Project.

The world premiere of Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera is on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall at 8 pm. Tickets are $45, $55 & $65 and can be purchased at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, charged to a major credit card by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org. For more information, visit porphyrarockopera.com.