July 26, 2011

KRIKOR SATAMIAN REGALES TORONTO AGBU AUDIENCE WITH WIT AND CHARM

By Dr. Isa Basmadjian

On a hot humid July evening, Friday the 15th to be precise, Krikor Satamian, actor, comedian, writer, philosopher and devoted AGBU member, flew in from California and delivered a captivating monologue to a packed audience in the Babayan Hall of the AGBU Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre in Toronto. Before he began to entertain, the crowd was treated to an array of delectable appetizers and a scrumptious meal that added to the convivial surroundings and set the mood for a night of mirth and merriment. And at the night‘s end, the spectators had forgotten the heat and were revelling in the refreshingly joyous atmosphere that Satamian had left behind.

Guffaws, giggles, chortles and hearty laughs resounded in the hall while Satamian was on stage. His inspiration seems to be the foibles and follies of human relationships and interaction with their surroundings, somewhat akin to a modern-day Molière but more appropriately, like a contemporary version of Baronian. Like the latter, Satamian holds up a mirror to his fellow Armenians and transforms his keen observation of their nature and peculiar quirks and idiosyncrasies to a highly specialized comedic art form. It’s a rare ability to metamorphose a serious subject matter into humorous entertainment. However, Satamian has mastered it and his audience loves it.

Satamian’s large body of fans In Toronto appreciate him for being the national treasure that he is and regret the fact that his visits are few and far between .