Blood, Sweat, and Queers
by Tomáš Dianiška
Translated by Edward Einhorn and Katarina Vizina
Directed by Edward Einhorn
Part of the Rehearsal for Truth International Theater Festival
Mon May 26, Fri May 30, Sat May 31, Tue June 3, Mon June 9, Sat June 14 at 7pm; Sun June 15 at 5pm
A new Czech drama inspired by the life of the successful athlete Zdenek Koubek (1913-1986), celebrated in the sports world of the time as a “wonder woman” and holding several world records in track until he transitioned to male. Together with the main character’s life story, Dianiška’s play also describes the increasing fascism of the 1930s, permeated by homophobia, transphobia and gender stereotypes. One of the most successful plays in contemporary Czech drama, told in absurdist style, it uncovers a deliberately buried story from a century ago with obvious implications for the current day.
Cast: Craig Anderson, Herschel Blatt, Jean Marie Keevins, Alyssa Simon, Katarina Vizina, and Hennesy Winkler* as Zdenek
*Members of Actor’s Equity Association
Costume design: Ramona Ponce
Video design: Chris Carcione
Sound design: Becca Silver
Join us for a discussing after the May 26 performance with Chris Harwood about translation, and after the May 29 performance with Michael Waters who will talk about his book, The Other Olympians, which explores Koubek's life along with other athletes of the time who were trans or gender fluid.
Art by Carolyn Raship