BEST divadlo, Brno’s new English-language theatre has announced that “A Walk in the Woods,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist, will be their next production at Kabinet Múz, premiering on 2 December. Lee Blessing’s Broadway hit takes an unusual look at how negotiators struggle with both finding an agreement and figuring out whether their work serves any purpose at all. Along the way, the long-standing political tensions between Russia and the U.S. receive their full share of comedic tweaking. Photo credit: Pixabay.
Brno, Nov 20 (BD) – The play, by the American writer Lee Blessing, will be co-directed by the popular Don Sparling, a long-time fixture on the Brno ex-pat scene. It will also feature the theatre group’s Artistic Director, Gene Terruso in one of the starring roles.
“A Walk in the Woods” – based on actual events — takes a comic and sometimes worrisome look at the futility of nuclear negotiations. A Russian and an American diplomat meet in Geneva and try to stumble their way to a peace agreement. Along the way, they are struck by the possibility that the world may actually be oblivious to the dangers it faces and argue about whether their own roles as negotiators are irrelevant. In that respect, the play shares a similar humor and some themes with the famous “Waiting for Godot,” with one negotiator pressing for progress and the other content to discuss music and sports.
This production will be BEST’s third of a very busy season and follows their successful presentation of “Sexual Perversity in Chicago”. The Spring will bring one more full production and Terruso hints that some reprises may be in the offing. “Audiences have enjoyed both of the shows we’ve done so far –“Love Letters” and “Sexual Perversity” (although I cringe when I say those two titles together). So, we’re taking a very close look at bringing at least one of them back with the many dates we have lined up at Kabinet Múz.”
The original production of “A Walk in the Woods” was performed on Broadway by Sam Waterston (of “Law and Order” fame) and nominated for the Pulitzer, America’s highest award for dramatic literature. It was subsequently filmed for TV and broadcast on both US television and the UK’s BBC.
“The quality of the script has never been questioned,” says Terruso, “But there was a time, after tensions eased between the US and Russia, that people questioned the play’s continuing relevance. Now, however, it seems as timely as ever.”
Sparling, a founding director of the Gypsywood Players, Masaryk University’s English-language student group, was integral to BEST divadlo’s beginnings. As a member of the Brno Ex-Pat Centre’s staff, he was part of discussions responding to calls for an English language theatre serving the local community. “It was a no-brainer asking him to get involved,” according to Terruso. “With his background in theatre and support for the group, we were looking for a project that was a good fit. This was it.”
BEST divadlo’s Fall performances are supported by the Mayor’s office of the City of Brno. “A Walk in the Woods” will be presented 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 December at Kabinet Múz, Brno centrum, Sukova 4. For ticket reservations go to BESTdivadlo@gmail.com.
Based on a press release.
Official Poster of “A Walk in the Woods” by BEST divadlo.
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