2007 News Archive

A BROADWAY PLAY PRESENTED IN GAGAUZIA BY AN AMERICAN

December 11, 2007

Ambassador Kirby with the cast

Ambassador Michael Kirby and PAO John Balian attended the opening of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthurs’ play “Twentieth Century” on December 7 at the “M. Chiakir” Gagauz Drama Theatre in Ciadir Lunga, the second largest town in the Gagauz autonomous region of Moldova. The Region’s Bashkan (Governor), present at the opening, thanked the Ambassador in front of an audience of over 500 people for the American contribution to the region’s cultural development. Funded through the Culture Connect Envoy Program the production was directed by the American Istanbul based theatre director Neil Fleckman. Donating 6 weeks of his personal time in addition to the program 6 weeks Fleckman served not only as a director in this project but also as a teacher training the semi-professional company thus raising actors’ professional skills to a new level. The play reached many who have never seen a Broadway production, highlighting the richness and diversity of American culture.  The impact of this project will continue to grow as the theater incorporates this production into their repertoire for the coming theatre seasons.