REVIVAL is a spiritual folk-rock show with themes of love and justice. It features original story-driven music by Kristen Plylar-Moore performed by a small ensemble of singers and instrumentalists. Inspired and uplifting, the songs draw largely from Hebrew biblical texts and are rooted in universal themes of love, justice, and the celebration of the divine in each of us. With minimalist staging, REVIVAL expands to become a large tent for re-imagining human kindness.
Testimonials
“We are honored to have hosted Revival at Temple Beth Elohim of Wellesley during Passover. Their performance was uplifting, passionate and spoke directly to the heart of our Passover story: welcoming the stranger, liberation and honoring our peoplehood. We enjoyed hosting them and are grateful for how they elevated our holiday experience!”
“As soon as I heard of Julia and Kristen’s show, I wanted to have it performed at my synagogue. Julia and Kristen were flexible, polite, and enthusiastic partners. They offered to incorporate our religious school in the show, which was a wonderful offer. I would recommend them for a congregation of any size, and look forward to following their careers.”
“Tremendous evening… Hugely talented singers, storytellers, instrumentalists, and brilliant writing. Great rapport and repartee with the audience. Deeply poetic and compelling songs reflecting on Hebrew Scripture passages and stories. This ensemble is first-rate and it was one of our loveliest Market Square evenings. So glad these folks made the trip from NYC to Harrisburg! ”
“I had a lot of different feelings during the show. The variety of music meant that I could be tapping my toes at one moment and then having my heart swayed at the next. With all the things that are overwhelming us in our world today, it’s a blessing to come together for a show that moves our hearts towards hope.”
Singers
Lea Kalisch
Lea grew up in Switzerland and moved to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She received her BFA from The New School. She has acted in numerous plays, and performs solo in Yiddish concerts and in her one-woman-show "In Love With A Dream!" Lea says, “On stage I feel the most alive, because I love sharing an experience with an audience, the energy of live performance is enthralling. I am drawn to many styles of music, but when I hear Jewish music, synagogue prayers, or traditional Yiddish songs, it goes under my skin, connects me to my roots and something magical happens. It’s healing, it’s spiritual and so is REVIVAL!” LeaKalisch.com
Julia Ostrov
Julia is a singer of both folk-rolk and cantorial music. She has served on occasion as ba’alat tefillah/prayer leader at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in NYC, and has served for the past 7 years as chazzan sheni/assistant cantor for the high holidays at East Midwood Jewish Center in Brooklyn. Julia rediscovered her love of singing after a life-changing physical injury altered the course of her professional endeavors. She has participated in ALEPH's Davvenen' Leadership Training Institute, an experiential program that explores the practice of communal prayer and ritual. She also holds a Masters in Social Work from Hunter College, and is a specialized reading instructor for learners with dyslexia at The Reading Porch, along with her wife Kristen (see below!).
Instrumentalists past and present include:
Sam Gillogly
Born in Los Angeles and based in NYC, Sam began musical training in violin at age six on the island of Martha's Vineyard. They hold a Bachelor’s in Performance, summa cum laude, from Berklee College of Music in Boston. From 2007-2011 they were the principal violist of the Boston Civic Symphony, and in 2008 was a touring member of the Tim Janis Ensemble. In 2009, they participated in the innovative multimedia Youtube Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Michael Tilson-Thomas. They love the freedom and creativity of improvisation, and is an avid fan and performer of Celtic, Middle-eastern, Gypsy, and other global styles. Sam is currently first violinist and artistic director of the pop-culture quartet Spellbound Strings, and is a member of the world music trio Bazaar. SamGillogly.com
UGENE ROMASHOV
Ugene is a Russian born guitarist, composer, and producer who has played and recorded with a variety of different artists in genres ranging from straight jazz to psychedelic. He draws influence from Jazz, Bossa Nova, rock, and pop. Ugene holds a degree in music from Hunter College and has played all around New York City. Improvisation has always been central to his outlook on music and life in general.
Thiago Fratuce Pimentel
Thiago is a classical guitarist, teacher and videographer from Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is an original member of the REVIVAL ensemble and his artistic contributions can still be heard in the music. He holds a Masters degree from Mannes School of Music of The New School under the direction of Frederic Hand and Michael Newman, and a Bachelor’s degree in History from University of Sao Paulo. In Brazil he studied with Italo Peron, Everton Gloeden, and Henrique Pinto, with whom he formed a duo from 2007 to 2010. He has performed new music with Trio Almathi at The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Spectrum, and the Mannes College.
Songwriter
Kristen Plylar-Moore
Kristen is a songwriter, playwright, and educator who created REVIVAL as a call for love, justice, and healing. She holds an M.S. Ed. from The City College of New York and a BFA in Drama from the University of Oklahoma. For over 20 years, Kristen has taught in various capacities: as a drama teacher for children with language-based learning challenges at a private school in NYC; as a writing specialist for adult learners at the college level; and as a specialized reading instructor for learners with dyslexia at The Reading Porch. In addition to REVIVAL, Kristen wrote RAPTURE, a dramatic comedy about faith, family, and euphoria, which will be included in Aux Dog Theatre’s reading series First Stage Scripts (date TBD), in Albuquerque, NM. Kristen grew up in San Antonio, TX where she began playing Catholic hymns on the guitar after joining her church choir, and has been writing spiritual music since childhood. Her spiritual journey led her to Judaism and together with her wife Julia (see above) she has been a member of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in NYC for over a decade.