Los Angeles, CA – The Fountain Theatre's staging of Václav Havel's seminal one-act play, "Protest," is experiencing significant demand, with performances on Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd, already sold out. Only a limited number of tickets remain for the final Saturday performance, as announced by actor Steven Schub. The production, directed by Jeffrey Carpenter and starring Schub alongside Robert Anthony Peters, runs for a limited engagement at the Fountain Theatre's new upstairs alternative space.
"Protest" is one of Havel's "Vaněk plays," featuring his alter-ego, Ferdinand Vaněk, a dissident playwright. Written in 1978, the play delves into themes of moral compromise, intellectual integrity, and the pressures faced by individuals under oppressive regimes. It explores the tension between public dissent and personal safety, a dilemma Havel himself navigated as a leading figure in Czechoslovakia's anti-communist movement.
The production's timely relevance is further underscored by a recent article from Reason magazine's Matt Welch, which Schub highlighted in his tweet. Welch's piece examines the complex relationship between Havel and fellow Czech writer Milan Kundera, specifically Kundera's refusal to sign a petition, a scenario that mirrors the central conflict in "Protest." As stated in the tweet, this article "illuminates the plot, themes and the historical/moral context of our play."
The Fountain Theatre's presentation offers an intimate look at Havel's work, which often blends absurdist comedy with profound political commentary. Havel, who later became the first president of post-communist Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, used his plays to critique the dehumanizing aspects of totalitarian rule. The strong ticket sales for "Protest" reflect a continued public interest in narratives that challenge conformity and explore the nuances of resistance.
The play's enduring message about the courage to speak truth to power resonates strongly today. The Fountain Theatre, located at 5060 Fountain Avenue, continues its tradition of presenting thought-provoking and socially relevant theatrical works with this limited run.