ODCHODZI (PASSING AWAY)

Poland's renowned Scena Plastyczna KUL's ODCHODZI (PASSING AWAY) -- created and directed by the highly acclaimed visual theatre artist Leszek Madzik from text by famed author Tadeusz Rozewicz -- will be given its New York premiere by La Mama ETC in association with the Polish Cultural Institute in New York, with preview performances starting February 16 prior to its official opening night February 19 at La Mama ETC (74A East 4th Street).

Set to a score of live scat singing, sung by Polish jazz legend Urszula Dudziak, and performed by actors who don't speak a single word -- uses shadow and light accompanied by haunting, original music and movement to convey emotions and existential truths inadequately expressed in words.

Adapted by Madzik from Tadeusz Rozewicz's award-winning book of prose and verse, "Matka Odchodzi (Mother Departs)" -- winner of NIKE, Poland's highest literary award in 2000 -- ODCHODZI (PASSING AWAY) is a visual spectacle that examines the solitude and mystery of a loved one's passing.

About the Company: La Mama Experimental Theatre Club

La MaMa is a remarkable arts institution with a world-wide reputation for producing cutting-edge work in theater, dance, performance art, and music. Founded in 1961 by theater pioneer and legend, Ellen Stewart, La MaMa has produced and presented more than 3,000 theatrical productions to date and is a vital part of the fabric of cultural life in New York City and around the world.

La MaMa provides a supportive home for artists and takes risks on unknown work. Artists such as Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson, Philip Glass, Robert Wilson, Harvey Fierstein, Blue Man Group, David and Amy Sedaris, -and others whose names you haven't heard of yet - began their careers at La MaMa. International artists introduced to America by La MaMa include Tadeusz Kantor, Andrei Serban, Kazuo Ohno and, more recently, the acclaimed Belarus Free Theatre.La MaMa has been honored with more than 30 OBIE Awards, dozens of Drama Desk and Bessie Awards, and, in 2006, Ellen Stewart was recognized with a special TONY Award for "Excellence in the Theatre."