On Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. the Vineyard Haven Public Library will hold a free public reading of a new stage adaptation of It Can’t Happen Here, based on the 1935 novel written by Sinclair Lewis. In 1936, the novel was adapted into a play and theatres across the country opened productions on the same night. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of those productions, regional theatres, libraries, universities and communities across the country will read the new adaptation by Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s artistic director Tony Taccone and screenwriter Bennett S. Cohen.

The play was written during the rise of fascism in Europe. It follows the ascent of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States by promising to return the country to greatness. Witnessing the new president’s authoritarian tyranny from the sidelines is a liberal, middle-class newspaper editor from Vermont who is caught in the chaos of social upheaval.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 508-696-4211, ext. 116.