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This is a co-production between two local English-language theater companies - Black Box, an amateur group which usually does an excellent job at bringing English-language versions of Czech plays to the stage (though they are weaker when it comes to original English-language theater) and Misery Loves Company, a professional group which produces a lot of original plays written by the English- speaking Prague ex-pat community. The show tonight is a condensed version of the two plays that make up "Angels in America" -- "Millenium Approaches" and "Perestroika." The only problem is that they didn't condense either one all that much, with the result that the show is an interminable four and a half hours long. It was, however, quite successful, so look for it to be revived.
Divadlo v Celetne, Celetna 17, Prague 1 tel. 251 311

This dadaist performance by the Strasser Company was awarded a special prize at the Saint-Maure Festival in Paris. The experimental theater performance is described by its Prague organizers as "absurd, crazy, parody - clowning, buffoonery and shenanigans," which is a bit of overkill in the synonyms department, but also quite intriguing. The production is performed in pantomime and prominently includes, among other multimedial elements, many gigantic soap bubbles.
Roxy, Dlouha 33, Prague 1, tel. 231 6331, 24 81 09 51

"Boozing in Prague and Other Stories" is a visual play with dancing, singing and storytelling about life in bars, brothels and beaches in New York, Mexico and Prague. You're invited to 'Experience the wild times and adventures of the characters as they drink and sing their way through joys and agonies, sex, love and cross-cultural tangles' along with its Czech and ex-pat cast. The Rogue-coco theatre group specializes in reviving classical cabaret techniques and combining them with modern performance art methods - the result is usually something entirely new. This show was also written by Czechs and by ex-pats and includes 16 songs; mostly of an evergreen and American bluesy variety. The theatre performance is accompanied by an exhibition of photographs of the New York underground scene from 1981-1995 by Pavel Sojka.

A co-production between Prague's Archa Theatre and the Dutch theatre group Doktroep, the translation of the title of this piece an aural rather than a literal one (Kulhavy Tango is literally 'Limping Tango' in English). This inside joke between the two companies demonstrates the affinity the members of each group have for each other, as does the fact that this was the first time that the well-known Dutch group, which has been going strong for 20 years now, performed on a traditional theatre stage. Doktroep has performed on the snowy plains of Albertville (during the Olympic games) and on the dusty plains of Seville (during Expo 1992), but they usually perform in factories, on docks, in churches - anywhere, in fact, as long as it is not in a theatre space.
Theatre Archa, Na Porici 26, Prague 1, tel. 232 8800, 232 7570

It seems the Czechs are taking to musicals in the second half of this century with the same fervor with which they took to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the second half of the 18th century. Dracula! stars Lucie Bila and Jiri Korn - both of whom starred in the Czech production of Les Miserables (to much acclaim) and both of whom have solo careers as rock artists. The music is by Karel Svoboda, the lyrics and libretto are by Zdenek Borovec and Richard Hes -- Hes's dance group, Uno, also figures prominently in the production. The story is based on the original novel, but is not the typical "Dracula as evil bloodsucker" plot. Instead, this original Czech production portrays the vampire as an unhappy victim. Tickets go fast, so it is a good idea to order in advance.
Palace of Culture, Trida 5. kvetna 65, Prague 4, tel. 61 17 31 86, 643 2868, fax. 61 17 31 87

This play is produced by Big Knees, which specializes in bringing original new works, most of which are written by Prague's expat/ aspiring writer community, to the stage. Going Where the Sun Shines Brightly, written by Irish expat Gavin Stuart, is the story of a serial-killer truck driver who subjects a young couple he's picked up hitchhiking to horrific experiences; these in turn bring the insecurities and mistrust inherent in their relationship to the fore. Includes the Cliff Richards scene required of young, angst- ridden writers. If you're anxious to meet all those budding Hemingways that are rumored to be hanging out in Prague, this is a good place to look.
Divadlo v Celetne, Celetna 17, Prague 1, tel. 251 311

While the company at Studio Ypsilon are not exactly sure what "Horrorband" is - calling it something between a rock concert and a theater improvisation, in which "the concert is an organic part of the performance" - they are most emphatic about what it is not. It's neither a parody or a musical. Rather, it's meant to show the brutality and violence prevalent in pre-millenial society today. Original Czech rock songs by rock-musician-turned-actor Jiri Schmitzer are sticthed together into a semblance of a plot by the show's main character, an American vampireologist. As the sketches are based on the well-known horror stories in the title (the Lady refers to Slovak aristocrat Elizabeth Bathory, who believed that bathing in the blood of freshly-killed virgins would grant her immortality) and the program contains a smattering of English, it should be understandable for an international audience.
Studio Ypsilon, Spalena 16, Prague 1, tel. 292 255-6

This Czech musical was originally produced during the Nazi occupation of the Czech lands in World War II and, as with most Czech productions of that time, is totally apolitical - a refreshing change from the usual angst-ridden dissident fare. A ridiculous parody of the western, Lemonade Joe is the saga of a singing, do- good, cola-drinking cowboy - and the story is best known in this country as an excellent 1960's film. The producers went back to the original 1930's script for this translation, though, and this is the first time the play is being produced in English. Lemonade Joe is the last of four plays which make up the Third Annual Summer Theater Festival by Black Box productions, a non-profit foundation that has been producing plays in English in Prague since 1991.

The classic reworking of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner is a perennial favorite with Prague audiences. While it's traditionally been a part of the Karlin Musical Theater's repertoire, this altogether new production of the play was the first one in a number of years for the company. It's worth going to hear those old songs, like "Chtela bych tancit jen" (I Could Have Danced All Night) and "Ja se dnes dopoledne zenim" (Get Me to the Church On Time) in their (quite good) Czech translations.
Hudebni Divadlo v Karline (Karlin Musical Theater), Krizikova 10, Prague 8, tel. 24 21 27 76/78, 24 81 62 13

The story of a man and his wife as they scheme to take over the Building Supervisor position in their building in a Czech pre-fab housing district parallels the action of Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy - with a Czech twist. The play is by Premysl Rut, an author little-known outside of his native Czech Republic, and was one of four plays presented at the Annual Summer Theater Festival by Black Box productions, a non-profit foundation that has been producing plays in English in Prague since 1991.

After singer/actress Renata Drosslerova graduated from the Theater Academy in Prague in 1986 she began playing in provincial theater companies here and in Poland - all to much acclaim. When she came to Prague in 1992, she summoned up all of her courage and telephoned the prestigious Semafor Theater to ask for a job. Theater director Jiri Suchy happened to take that call - and when Renata told him that she was a talented performer who dances, sings, and measures 180 centimeters(5'11") - director Suchy was so impressed with that last bit of information that he invited her in for an audition. The tryout went so well that Suchy wrote a role for Drosslerova into the theater's newest production - and the rest is history. In this One-Woman Show, Renata Drosslerova sings songs that she usually sings at the Theater Semafor - as well as classic songs by Marlene Dietrich.
Theater Gong, Sokolovska 191, Prague 9, tel 663 116 29.

Tom Stoppard's well-known play about Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and time are brought back to life in this Misery Loves Company Prague production. An absurdist play on Shakespeare's Hamlet, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern" features the Bard's main character only in a small supporting role. That the dialogue is partly in iambic pentameter and partly in contemporary language lends a unique quality to an already interesting premise. Directed by Webster Forrest, this production stars Richard Toth and David Nichols - who also play very well together in the "Angels in America" co-production between Misery Loves Company and Black Box Productions.
Divadlo v Celetne, Celetna 17, Prague 1, tel. 232 6843

An original Czech black comedy about the British royal family, written by Eduard Martin (the son of the Czech writer Eduard Petiska), Royal Seconds follows the story of Prince Charles and Princess Di, from the time they first met through to about 1994. It's not so much a parody as a paraphrase of the Royal Relationship, and is based as much as possible on reality - so if you're familiar with the story (and who isn't) you should be able to follow the plot, but bring along a Czech friend if you want to catch all the nuances. Princess Di's interview received very high ratings when it was shown on television here, so the Ungelt theater company is counting on this subject being of interest to the average Czech. They may be right - so you're advised to so book ahead, as the theater only seats about 90 people.
Ungelt Theater, Mala Suparska 1, Prague 1, tel. 231 6690

A musical collage based on the novel by Jaroslav Zak. The work is best known as a series of three films from the 1930's by the talented Czech director Milan Fric. But even before he made the novel into a film, it had been made into a theater production by E.F. Burian's D38 theater - and it is this original theater production that is the basis of this current play. Additional period songs from the 1930's have been added and are performed during the show by students of the Prague Performing Arts Academy. The novel on which the play is based is very episodic, and so lends itself well to being made into short scenes which reflect memories of school days with humor and nostalgia. The play also manages to throw some national traits that are very specifically Czech into high relief - so if possible, bring a Czech friend along to explain the nuances for you. But even if you are lacking your own personal interpreter, you will still enjoy the show - as teachers and schools are pretty much the same the world over.
Labyrint Theater, Stefanikova 57, Prague 5, tel. 24 51 17 37

There's something about young Mole that speaks straight to the Czech psyche; Sue Townsend's books are best sellers here in translation, and the Rokoko Theater Company were compelled to write their own dramatisation of the two books about angst-ridden Adrian rather than translate the theater adaptation from Britain. This original production has been playing to satisfied Czech audiences since it premiered in October of 1995 and, while it is in Czech, the story should be understandable to anyone who is familiar with the original books.
Divadlo Rokoko, Vaclavske namesti 38, Prague 1, tel. 24 21 7084/2837

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