The Trumpeter Playing at Dupont Underground

Alliance for New Music-Theatre brings the harrowing wartime drama "The Trumpeter" to life in the atmospheric depths of Dupont Underground, where audiences can experience Ukrainian playwright Inna Goncharova's powerful meditation on survival and resistance through February 1.

The Trumpeter presented by Alliance for New Music-Theatre at Dupont Underground

The production transforms Dupont Underground's cavernous bunker-like space into a visceral theater of war, following the story of the last remaining member of a Ukrainian military band who seeks shelter beneath the Mariupol steelworks during the 2022 Russian bombardment. Goncharova's script, translated into English by John Farndon, captures the raw reality of conflict through the lens of one musician's determination to preserve humanity and art amid devastation.

World-renowned Hungarian director Janos Szasz helms this fully staged production alongside co-directors Michael Kevin Darnall and Lise Bruneau, creating an immersive theatrical experience that takes full advantage of the venue's unique architectural character. The subterranean setting provides an authentic parallel to the protagonist's underground refuge, with the space's natural acoustics and imposing concrete structure enhancing the emotional weight of the performance.

Trumpeter Kevin McKee's haunting musical compositions form the emotional core of the production, joined by the powerful voices of a Ukrainian male vocal ensemble. The combination of live music and dramatic performance creates a deeply affecting tribute to the resilience of Ukrainian culture and the enduring power of artistic expression even in the darkest circumstances.

This production represents Alliance for New Music-Theatre's continued commitment to amplifying Ukrainian voices and stories as the Russian invasion enters its fourth year. By staging Goncharova's work in Washington DC, the company brings the ongoing tragedy of the Ukrainian people into sharp focus for American audiences, transforming distant headlines into immediate, personal human experience.

"The Trumpeter" runs through February 1 at Dupont Underground. For tickets and performance information, visit the Alliance for New Music-Theatre website.