A selection of European stage readings in NYC, Bohemian National Hall, May 10-12, 2019

In spring 2019, the REHEARSAL FOR TRUTH theater festival, honoring Vaclav Havel, will add a weekend of contemporary European stage readings to their yearly program. The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation (VHLF) partners with the Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association to create a showcase of young European playwrights. The selection process includes choosing Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Slovak plays that have been translated into English and reflect on current social and political issues of the region.

The RFT Spring Weekend presents dramas in translation, showcases the work of young playwrights and offers New York performers and directors the opportunity to try out these works onstage. Audiences will be exposed to current trends in European dramatic creation, and their interpretations by local NY theater professionals. The performing arts and cultural institutions of these five countries collaborate with VHLF to select the plays as well as arrange trips of some of the chosen playwrights to New York City, to participate in the rehearsals, stage reading performances, and discussions with the audience after the shows.

The program is also supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

FULL PROGRAM 

The festival weekend begins with a VIP pre-festival party, The Spring Weekend Soiree, on May 9th at 7pm, at the Bohemian Spirit Restaurant, and all proceeds support the artists. The party features discussions with local directors: Adrian Alea, Edward Einhorn, Simona Maicanescu, Michael Piatkowski and Zishan Ugurlu, and includes short excerpts from the plays themselves. Guests will also enjoy the vibrant music of Central Europe. All tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-weekend-soiree-tickets-59920842854 and include traditional Czech food and beer.

Friday, May 10, at 7pm, features a stage reading of Vanek Variations from the Czech Republic: Audience, by Vaclav Havel; The Meeting by Edward Einhorn; Infiltration by Petr Erbes, all directed by Edward Einhorn. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-weekend-audience-the-meetinginfiltration-czech-tickets-59964688999

Saturday, May 11, at 4 pm, features the stage reading of a Hungarian play by Andrea Pass, Sunflower, directed by Adrian Alea. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-weekend-sunflower-hungary-tickets-59965963812

At 8 pm on May 11th, audiences will experience a full length production of the Romanian play by Herta Muller, Hoped I Wouldn’t Meet Myself Today, directed and performed by Simona Maicanescu. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-weekend-hoped-i-wouldnt-meet-myself-today-romania-tickets-59966704026

A stage reading of the Slovakian play, Urn on an Empty Stage, by Martin Cicvak and directed by Katarina Vizina will be presented on Sunday, May 12 at 3 pm. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-weekend-urn-on-an-empty-stage-slovakia-tickets-59965285784

Poland’s Magda Fertacz’s Puppenhaus. Treatment, directed by Zishan Ugurlu, closes the weekend on May 12th at 7pm. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-weekend-puppenhaustreatment-poland-tickets-59967167412

All productions for this Spring Weekend are held at the Bohemian National Hall, 321 E. 73rd St., New York, NY, 10021, and have been translated into English. The stage readings and full-length production are free events, and reservations can be made on Eventbrite. After every stage reading and production, there will be talk backs with the artists followed by a small reception hosted by the featured country’s cultural institution.

For more information visit: https://www.vhlf.org/