Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson will stage the English-language premiere of the work at his company's home Jan. 12-Feb. 10. Opening night is Jan. 19.
Based on Hermann Broch's story "Die Erzählung der Magd Zerline" from the novel "Die Schuldlosen (The Guiltless)," Zerline's Tale "tells the story of Zerline, a maid in an aristocratic household who recounts her captivating story of lust, pleasure, and disappointment as she metes out her own justice against the 'empty wickedness' of her betters," according to Hartford Stage.
Ashley, recently seen Off-Broadway in Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate (also directed by Wilson), has appeared at Hartford Stage in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 8 by Tenn and The Glass Menagerie. Her Broadway credits include Enchanted April, The Skin of Our Teeth, Agnes of God, The Best Man, Barefoot in the Park and her Tony-winning turn in Take Her, She's Mine.
Casey plays the role of The Man. The actor, seen in the Los Angeles world premiere of Charles L. Mee's A Perfect Wedding, makes his Hartford Stage debut with this production. Other credits include "It's My Party," "Star Trek: First Contact," "Medium" and "NYPD Blue."
The design team for Zerline's Tale includes Alexander Dodge (scenic), Howell Binkley (lighting), Jane Greenwood (costumes) and John Gromada (sound and original music). Sams' adaptations and translations include the books for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Amour as well as the play Indiscretions. He directed the current West End revival of The Sound of Music and has staged productions of Noises Off, Passion and Spend Spend Spend.
Director Wilson has directed 23 productions for his theatre, including the premieres of Enchanted April, The Carpetbagger's Children and Necessary Targets. He recently directed the Broadway revival of Old Acquaintance and will next direct Hartford Stage's run of Tennessee Williams' The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore featuring Olympia Dukakis.
Tickets for Zerline's Tale at Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford, CT, are available by calling (860) 527-5151. For more information visit hartfordstage.org.
