Matei Vișniec’s Parable of Fascism, "The Pit", at Rehearsal for Truth Festival

We are back at the Rehearsal for Truth Festival, the NYC showcase of Central European theater advocating the anti-totalitarian values exposed by Václav Havel, with The Pit, a compelling drama by prolific Romanian playwright Matei Vișniec, which serves as a stark allegory for the perils of fascism, groupthink, and dehumanization, themes that remain profoundly relevant today. In the play, written in 1988, in the terminal period of Communist dictatorships in Europe, two men find themselves trapped in a deep pit, grappling with their guilt, fears, and the looming threat of "snakes." Their confinement is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious third man, who offers them a dubious chance to escape.

Directed by Ana Margineanu, the production features performances by Ian Edlund, Vas Eli, and Perri Yaniv, with movement direction by Răzvan Stoian.

The performance is part of the Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2025, themed "Perseverance," which presents contemporary Central and Eastern European theater. The festival, honoring the legacy of Václav Havel, runs from May 26 to June 15, 2025.

Join us for an evening of illuminating and timely theater that challenges audiences to reflect on burning issues of contemporary society. More HERE.