by Václav Havel
Translated by Jan Novak
Directed by Edward Einhorn

With: Craig Anderson, Bob Brader, Yvonne Roen
Costumes: Ramona Ponce
Stage Manager: Berit Johnson

Performances:

Tue September 22, 6:30pm
at the Chopin Theatre
1543 W Division St, Chicago
Presented in cooperation with the the Consulate General of The Czech Republic in Chicago

October 1 - 17, Thu - Sat at 7pm, Sat at 3pm
at Torn Page
435 W. 22nd Street, New York, NY
Presented in cooperation with the Czech Center New York
(Only 25 seats/show, stairs, tickets by donation)

Mon October 5, 7pm
at Bohemian National Hall
321 E 73rd, New York, NY
Presented in cooperation with the Czech Center New York, in honor of Havel’s 90th birthday, discussion of Havel’s legacy follows.

Havel's darkly comic critique of those who compromise their ethics for government favor, comes to the stage in a new production in honor of what would have been Havel's 90th birthday. Havel’s signature character, Ferdinand Vaněk, visits the home of old friends who try to seduce him into making the same moral compromises they have made in exchange for small privileges. Havel’s wit and political undercurrents make Unveiling both hilariously uncomfortable and strikingly relevant—a farce that exposes the desperation of those who have lost their moral bearings.

Havel was both the former Czech President and the leader of the Velvet Revolution against Soviet rule in 1989. He is also one of the premiere absurdist playwrights of the 20th Century, as well as winner of multiple Obie Awards here in New York. This play was written in 1975 while his work was still banned in Czechoslovakia, and it was originally performed privately in living rooms.

The showing in Chicago is part of a Czech celebration, while the New York showings celebrate Havel’s 90th. The showing at Torn Page is in a similar theatrical condition to the original showings, in an intimate living room theater with less than 25 seats.