The Bloody Sonnets
Highlights of the New York premiere
The Plus421 Foundation proudly presented the highly anticipated New York premiere of The Bloody Sonnets on September 5 in La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, NYC. The production is a bold adaptation of the poetic masterwork of Slovakia’s literary giant Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav.
Directed by David Paška, featuring Katarína Morháčová and Annamaria Janeková, with dramaturgy by Darina Abrahámová, the production breathes new life into Hviezdoslav’s prophetic anti-war poetry, translated into English by John Minahane. This intensive performative concert for two actresses transcends time, bringing audiences face-to-face with the haunting visions of World War I—its propaganda, gender roles in crisis, and the lasting scars of war.
With a perspicacious blend of lyrical discourse, visual storytelling, multimedia content, and an original musical score, The Bloody Sonnets, is a theatrical experience that speaks both to history and to the urgent contemporary need for peace. The performers’ dynamic presence infuses the performance with moments of levity, music, and even hard-hitting humor, making it as thought-provoking as it is visually compelling.
The project also provides a platform for the creative talent of Julius Leon Seiler (stage design), Samuel D. Abrahám (music), Maria-Lena Poindl (costumes), as well as Atelier71, led by Monika Laceková, whose fashion artistry adds another dimension to the production’s evocative visual aesthetic.
Under the esteemed patronage of the Consulate General of Slovakia in New York and DPOH – P.O. Hviezdoslav Theater in Bratislava, Slovakia, this collaboration reaffirms the mission of Plus421 Foundation: to celebrate Slovak cultural heritage on the global stage, foster artistic exchange, and build bridges between cultures through the power of art.
The project is co-produced by Plus421 foundation. Other partners include the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic in New York City, Eduawen Europe and DLMU.
Biographies
Special thanks to our wonderful donors
THE PREMIERE PATRON - Eva Staronova, Gayle Snible, George Pavlov, Roger Ver.
THE VIP INSIDER - C Pavlov, Timothy Carberry, William Munley.
THE ART LOVER - Ari Beckian, Chris Bongirne, Martin Mehalchin, Martin Samaan, Natalie Roy,
Stephanie Valachovic, Tomer Versano.
THE COLLECTOR - Beth Klein, David Feher, EGENBERG trial lawyers, Greg Whiteside, Guillaume Thepin, Jackson Gandour, Juro Oravec, Katarina Sulcova, Landen Danielle Haake, Ludmila Novotna, Mara and Francisco Pauda, Matej Mokros, Nissim Dery, Stephen Conroy, Sue Bolk, Trevor Heffernan.
THE AMPLIFIER - Jenn Clark.
THE CHEERLEADER - Jonn Klein, Katarina & Martin Morhac.
THE SUPPORTER - Dana Patrick, Diego Oliveira, Gloaria El-Achkar, Gwen Samenta, Hellen Miller,
Jess Nesslling, Loic-Eddy Bretum, Malynda Hale, Marc Jacobson, Martin Pagac, Mason Fosier, Molly Gandour
Natalie Lesz, Natasha Kasatskuya, Olga Maximova, Oren Noy, Tijana Djorem, C Pavlov, Timothy Carberry, William Munley.