Diary of War – Benefit reading with United Help Ukraine for Hospitallers

Collected, produced by: Daria Kolomiec
Directed by: Musa Gurnis
Cast: Laila Robins, Jay O. Sanders, Ismenia Mendes, b Norwood, Jake Hart, Carson Elrod, TBA.

"Diary of War" is a powerful benefit reading by Bedlam and The Private Theatre highlighting the harrowing and inspiring experiences of Ukrainians affected by the full-scale Russian invasion. The event promises to deliver resilient, firsthand accounts from Ukraine performed by an acclaimed cast of American actors.

Rooted in the documentary podcast by Ukrainian cultural activist and Next Generation Leader, , the performance transforms real stories into a profoundly moving theatrical experience. The project produced by Kolomiec captures the raw and emotional stories of Ukrainians during the full-scale Russian war in Ukraine, providing a window into the personal impact of the ongoing invasion. Since February 2024, Kolomiec's benefit readings based on her podcast have sold out venues across New York, including the West End Theater and the Brooklyn Center for Theatre Research, raising over $60,000 for Ukrainian volunteer organizations conducting frontline medical evacuations and supporting female veterans.

Directed by Musa Gurnis and produced by Daria Kolomiec, the reading will share the testimonies of seven Ukrainians whose lives were irrevocably changed by 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.
• Olena Nikulina, the wife of Maksym Nikulin, a soldier of the Azov Regiment, describes learning about her second pregnancy while her husband was at the Azovstal factory surrounded by Russians. Since his capture, Olena has not heard from Maksym, and he has never met his son.
• Denys Khrystov, a former TV host, evacuated hundreds of people and animals from the war zone; some of the towns he visited with his evacuation assignments no longer exist.
• Julia Kochetova, a photojournalist who regularly works in Ukraine's most dangerous places, reports 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 clown at Kyiv's Ohmatdyt, the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, struck by a Russian missile in the summer of 2024.
• Marat Shevchenko is a stageman and DJ who had to flee his occupied hometown of Kupiansk on an old motorcycle with his vinyl records and ethnic embroidered shirt.
• Yurii Marchenko, a Ukrainian journalist, storyteller, and editor-in-chief at Platfor.ma, a media and creative agency for social projects, tells about losing his pet pug and being unable to get timely veterinary assistance during the first weeks of the full-scale war.

The performance will feature a stellar lineup of actors:

• Laila Robins (TV: Homeland, The Blacklist, The Boys, The Crowded Room, Accused, American Horror Stories; Theatre: Albee's The Lady from Dubuque and Tiny Alice, Frozen, Heartbreak House and The Real Thing, Richard Nelson's Apple Family Plays);
• Jay O. Sanders (Film: When You Finish Saving the World, His Three Daughters, Revolutionary Road, Cadillac Records; TV: True Detective; Theater: Broadway, Girl from the North Country, Purlie Victorious,currently appearing as Falstaff in Henry IV at TFANA);
• Ismenia Mendes (TV: Orange Is The New Black, High Maintenance; Theater: Mac Beth, Marys Seacole, as well Troilus and Cressida and Much Ado About Nothing with the Public Theater);
• b Norwood (TV: You, WeCrashed, Let The Right One In; Theater: Toros, and the Public Theater’s Twelfth Night); 
• Jake Hart (Film: Big George; TV: Universal Basic Guys, The Deuce; Theater: The Winter’s Tale, Jesus Hopped the A-Train, and Salvage at the Public Theater).
• Carson Elrod (Film: The Wedding Crashers, Kissing Jessica Stein; Theater: Broadway, Peter and the Starcatcher, Noises Off; with Classical Theatre of Harlem Twelfth Night and Seize the King, as well as All’s Well That Ends Well and Measure for Measure with the Public Theater).

The evening will start at 7 PM with an exceptional performance by Teryn Kuzma – a singer and bandura player, a versatile performer of classical, contemporary, musical theater, and folk repertoire; and Ulana Pryjmak – a singer, member of the Ukrainian Village Voices folk collective, and promoter of Ukrainian folk culture.

Guests of the event will be offered to participate in a charitable auction and bid for some exclusive items, such as vintage Ukrainian vinyl record from Marat Shevchenko’s collection he fled with, book of Ukrainian wartime symbols co-written by Yurii Marchenko, a limited edition chevron designed by Iryna Tsybukh, and other memorable lots.

The upcoming performance also serves as a significant cultural and humanitarian effort, spotlighting the resilience of the Ukrainian people and supporting those who provide vital care and assistance in wartime. All funds raised from this event will be transferred to United Help Ukraine – a registered 501(c)(3) charity providing humanitarian, medical, and psychological assistance to those affected by the Russian war in Ukraine since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and occupied part of eastern Ukraine. UHU also raises awareness and advocates for Ukraine to remain a free, democratic, and independent nation.

As part of its medical aid program, UHU will provide supplies for Hospitallers, a Ukrainian volunteer organization that delivers crucial medical care on the battlefield, facilitates the evacuation of the wounded, and assists with their recovery. Since its inception in 2014, Hospitallers have been instrumental in evacuating over 17,000 people from combat zones and continue their essential work to this day.

—-------

Donation Details:

100% of the income from ticket sales will be donated to United Help Ukraine. United Help Ukraine will transfer 100% of these funds to the brave volunteer combat medics of Hospitallers to purchase urgently needed supplies. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to make further donations to the organization at the venue. There will be a live auction following the reading with the exclusive lots such as vintage Ukrainian vinyl record from Marat Shevchenko’s collection he fled with, book of Ukrainian wartime symbols co-written by Yurii Marchenko, a limited edition chevron designed by Iryna Tsybukh, and other memorable items.

Why Attend?

This reading provides an opportunity to engage with profound personal stories while supporting a significant cause. By attending, you will contribute to the ongoing efforts of United Help Ukraine, aiding those who provide critical care and support in the wartime, including the brave volunteer combat medics of Hospitallers to whose specific needs the proceeds of this event are dedicated.

Can I donate if I can’t attend the event?

Yes! You can donate directly for United Help Ukraine – just use .

Host or Publisher United Help Ukraine