Staged reading of a contemporary play dealing with the current war in Ukraine. Once Upon a Time There Was a Rooster tells a story about a Ukrainian family on a farm and a Russian soldier who stumbles into their farm. 

Once Upon a Time There Was a Rooster, Ukraine. Written by: Anna Halas. Directed by: Eva Burgess. Running time: 90 min. Followed by Q&A.

Free and open to the public. Seats are limited, on first-come first-served basis. Online registration required.

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About

The Spring Staged Readings is part of the 2025 Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival organized by the Vaclav Havel Center (VHC) and Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA).

The 2025 Rehearsal for Truth International Theater Festival’s Spring Staged Readings takes place from April 14 – May 4. It includes staged readings and contemporary plays by award-winning European playwrights from Estonia, Lithuania, and Ukraine.  It also examines Vaclav Havel’s Vanek character, with excerpts of Vanek plays from Havel and others in conjunction with a new book on the subject. 

The program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The festival is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.