New Vrindaban Hosts a Staged Reading of the Ramayana Musical
The Ramayana –A Staged Reading of the Musical by Krpamaya das (John Sherwood)
written by Lilasuka dasi
The Ramayana –
A Staged Reading of the Musical by Krpamaya (John Sherwood)
By Lilasuka dasi
What is a “staged reading”, you may ask? On Sat. Apr. 26, many of us witnessed a staged reading and learned that it is a play or musical which is read, spoken and sung by the cast, with the purpose of getting valuable feedback from the audience to help in the ultimate production of the play.
Jaya Rama Sri Rama Bhajan
The staged reading was orchestrated by Krpamaya das (John Sherwood), a long-time resident Vaisnava at New Vrindaban, who has had this grand musical performance of the “Ramayana – Past in Present” inside his mind for many years, and it is finally well on its way to becoming a dream come true. Krpamaya das is an excellent guitarist and pianist, as well as a singer and all-round musician. He is a father and grandfather, who recently went back to school at West Liberty University, majoring in music and theater. Some of his fellow students agreed to participate in the staged reading, skillfully reading the parts of the characters Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Ravana, his queen, Jatayu, Kaikeyi, King Dasarath and Vibhishan, and doing a lot of expert singing.
Ramayana Staged Reading Cast
Krpamaya has said, “I hope to integrate my skills in presenting Krsna Consciousness through the performing arts.”
Michael Aulick, a theater director at West Liberty University, and one of Krpamaya’s professors, collaborated very strongly with him through the whole process and was present at the staged reading, directing and encouraging the cast. “I couldn’t have done this without Mike,” declared Krpamaya.
The Audience is Impressed
The feedback seemed to be genuinely appreciated by the devotees and guests in the audience, as well as the cast members from West Liberty University. They were all very pleased with the results. “The Ramayana-Past in Present” had taken on a life of its own.
The Happy Producer and Composer, Krpamaya
