Havel Remembered through "Protest"

The Alliance for New Music-Theatre presented the play Protest, written by Václav Havel and directed by Susan Galbraith, recreated in the original staging atmosphere of “apartment theater” at the residence of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic on September 26. Actors Drew Valens and David Millstone played the roles of Vaněk and Staněk. The special evening was highlighted by such distinguished guests as former First Lady of the Czech Republic, Dagmar Havlová, and Czech Speaker Jan Hamáček. The evening served to remember the 80^th anniversary of the birth of Czech President Václav Havel.  Through the play, Havel’s “Vaněk” became a kind of alter-ego or at least a much-beloved symbol of a counter-culture that later would bring about the Velvet Revolution. After the fall of communism, Havel spoke on February 2, 1990, to a joint session of the US Congress. Among those watching was Martina Navrátilová, who wiped tears from her eyes as Havel spoke. His leadership helped bring about democracy in Martina’s homeland. In commemorating Havel’s legacy, the Alliance also performed the play to sold out audiences at the Woodrow Wilson House on September 27 and 28.