THE PLAY’S THE THING
With guest of honor Sir Tom Stoppard
Join us for a festive celebration of the legacy of Vaclav Havel and Czech and Slovak communities’ presence in New York!
With two-time Tony Award-winning actress Christine Baranski hosting the evening, Ayad Akhtar, recipient of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for drama, delivering opening remarks, triple Tony Award- and quintuple Drama Desk Award-winning director Jack O’Brien introducing Mr. Stoppard and Vaclav Havel’s wife Dagmar Havlova presenting Mr. Stoppard with the annual Award for Unparalleled Service to Czech and Slovak Communities!
The evening will include excerpts from Stoppard’s Rock ‘n’ Roll and Havel’s Largo Desolato, directed by Michael Sexton, head of the Public Shakespeare Initiative.
Another highlight will be the presentation of the annual Disturbing the Peace Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk by Polish writer Adam Michnik to Belarusian poet Dmitri Strotsev.
You can buy tickets at Eventbrite or please contact us at info@havelcenter.org.
The 2021 Annual Gala benefits the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation’s program promoting dissident writers, performing arts students and exploratory theater. Your support at this time allows VHLF to carry out work in the areas that were cherished by Vaclav Havel: art and human rights.
Safety Measures
BBLA and VHLF adhere to all current admission policies regarding COVID-19. Your health and safety remain our highest priority, and we are continually adapting our protocols in line with the CDC, the WHO, and state and federal guidance. Proof of vaccination is required and masks are strongly recommended while you are inside and not seated at your table. The staff and performers will be tested while arriving at BNH on the day of the Gala. They will wear masks during the event unless they are on stage.
New replaceable Air Filters MERV 13, which have been identified to be much more effective in trapping microscopic particles including Covid-19, will be installed in the building for the day of the Gala. Hand sanitizers will be available and bathrooms will be regularly disinfected during the event.
As a courtesy to each other, help us provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.