Netflix, HBO, and Broadway actors to participate in theatrical readings on Russia’s full-scale invasion anniversary

Marking the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion, the New York West End Theater will host "Diary of War" documentary-theater readings on February 24. Renowned American actors will perform real stories shared by Ukrainians about their experiences during the initial days of the invasion.

Rubryka reports this information, citing the event organizers.

What is the problem?

Three years into the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine continues to demand significant international attention. However, in the US information space, the topic of war is gradually fading into the background, giving way to solving internal problems and daily changes in the policy of the new presidential administration.

The abrupt termination of grant funding programs, followed by the suspension of operations by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has put vital initiatives for Ukraine at risk, particularly in the area of charitable assistance.

What is the solution?

To commemorate Ukrainians' ongoing struggle and mobilize the American public for active support, the documentary-theater readings of Diary of War will take place on February 24 at the West End Theater in New York.

Cultural activist and producer Daria Kolomiec organized the event to emotionally engage the audience and raise funds for the charitable organization United Help Ukraine. All donations will be directed to the volunteer medical battalion "Hospitaliers."

How does it work?

For the Diary of War readings, Daria Kolomiec crafted the script by selecting seven real stories from her documentary podcast of the same name. Released in 2022, the Diary of War podcast features 41 stories from Ukrainians who shared voice messages about the events of the initial weeks of the full-scale war.

The New York readings on this significant day aimed to remind Americans of the three years of full-scale invasion and nearly 11 years of Russian conflict, encouraging them to support Ukraine by making charitable contributions to aid combat medics. The event was directed by Muza Gurnis, a frequent collaborator on Daria Kolomiec's projects.

The heroes of Diary of War are Ukrainians who shared their experience of war:

• Iryna Tsybukh (call sign Cheka), a film producer and a project manager in civilian life, shares her work as a combat medic in the Hospitallers volunteer battalion, evacuating soldiers in hot spots on the front line. In May 2024, she was killed during her rotation. Since then, the readings of the Diary of War have been dedicated to her memory.

• Olena Nikulina: the wife of Maksym Nikulin, a soldier of the Azov Regiment. She describes learning about her second pregnancy while her husband was at the Azovstal factory surrounded by Russians. He has now been in captivity for 33 months and has yet to meet his son, Kostia, who is currently 2 years and 4 months old.
• Denys Khrystov, a former TV presenter and volunteer, has been evacuating civilians from frontline settlements affected by Russian shelling for nearly three years.
• Julia Kochetova: a photojournalist who regularly works in Ukraine's most dangerous places, reporting about Russian war crimes. She was awarded an Emmy in 2023 and a World Press Photo Award in 2024 for her work.
• Olha Bulkina describes her work as a volunteer clown at Kyiv's Ohmatdyt, the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, which was recently struck by a Russian missile.
• Marat Shevchenko, a DJ and sound engineer, escaped from occupied Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region on a motorcycle in the spring of 2022, carrying a collection of vinyl records and an embroidered shirt.
• Yurii Marchenko, the editor-in-chief of the online media outlet Platfor.ma, lost his dog in the early weeks of the great war due to a lack of timely veterinary care.

The readings will also be marked by a special line-up of famous American actors who will read these stories:

• Laila Robins, known for the TV series "The Accused," "Crowded Room," "American Horror Stories," "Homeland," "Doctor Death," "New Amsterdam," "Sex and the City" and others;
• Ismenia Mendes, an actress in the TV series "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix, "High Maintenance" on HBO, and others;
• b, known for the series "You" and "Let Me In" from Netflix, "WeCrashed" from Apple TV and others;
• Jake Hart – actor of the series "Suspect," "Shades of Blue," the animated series "Ordinary Guy," etc.;
• Carson Elrod is known for his roles in the films "The Uninvited Guests," "Kissing Jessica Stein," and the series "Evil," "The Good Fight," "High Maintenance," and others.

The event will open with a musical performance by Teryn Kuzma, a singer and virtuoso bandura player, alongside Ulana Pryjmak, a vocalist and member of the folk collective Ukrainian Village Voices, which showcases Ukrainian folk songs and promotes traditional singing.

Event guests will be invited to participate in a charity auction featuring exclusive items, many of which were donated by the narrators of the diaries. For instance, Marat Shevchenko contributed a record from his collection, rescued from Russian occupation, Yuriш Marchenko offered his book on 50 symbols of Ukrainian resistance in the war, and Iryna Tsybukh's parents donated a chevron designed by their daughter.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the link.

For reference:

Rubryka explored how public figures abroad can impact aid to Ukraine. On January 31, Berlin stylist and Ukraine supporter Frank Peter Wilde spoke with journalists in Kyiv, sharing insights on how influencers can support Ukraine.

During the second wave of the all-Ukrainian tour, the MUR creative association put on 25 shows commemorating the Executed Renaissance and raised a substantial sum for the needs of Ukraine's armed forces.

Moreover, it was noted that the audio description agency "Slovom" has already begun implementing a solution to enhance the accessibility of theatrical performances for people with disabilities. Rubryka elaborates on the functionality of this system and why it should be adopted throughout the entire cultural realm.