Name: Evgeny Schwartz's The Dragon: A Reading
Start: 2025-04-09T19:00:00-04:00
Location: 165 W 86 Street, New York, NY, United States, New York 10024

Join us for a reading of Eugene Schwartz’s The Dragon, a razor-sharp satire on power, propaganda, and the illusions of freedom. Originally written in 1944, Schwartz conceived his satire as a savage yet humorous attack on Nazi totalitarianism. The play was performed just three times before being withdrawn by Stalin's regime.
The reading is performed in English and will feature members of Theater 86’s ensemble alongside participants from our studio, with performances by Mauricio Bustamante, Zack Calhoon, Derya Karatas, Alexander Langadakis, Sean McPhillips, Terrence Montgomery, Tom Schubert, Mark K. Simmons, Isabel Thornton, Tracey Toth, Elena Weintraub, and Di Zhu.
The play takes place in a small town held in thrall by a bloodthirsty, fire-breathing dragon, who terrorizes the people and demands regular sacrifices of the town’s young women. The townspeople believe that this is how things have always been, and how they always will be—Elsa, who is next in line to be sacrificed, included. They believe they need a strong claw to guide them, even if it is a violent, horrible dragon. After all, they argue, the dragon they know is better than the one they don't, and he keeps them safe from outsiders—who they believe are far more terrifying than dragons. But when an underdressed superhero, Lancelot, arrives in the town determined to slay the dragon, it seems as if liberation is at hand. Or is it?
Be part of the conversation as we share Schwartz's provocative play at Theater 86! A brief discussion will follow the reading. Seating is limited—reserve your spot now!