A new Richard Wilbur translation and solo works from Dael Orlandersmith (The Gimmick) and Leslie Ayvazian (Nine Armenians) are at the center of the Long Wharf Theatre's In the Works: An Informal Playreading and Performance Series, a part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas June 21-July 1.
Wilbur, the leading translator of Moliere, brings the playwright's early comedy, The Bungler, to the Long Wharf stage June 22 in a staged reading. Artistic director Doug Hughes directs the production, the first time the 1653 work will have been performed in the United States. A talkback with Wilbur will follow the reading.
Returning to the Long Wharf after her 1998-1999 production of The Gimmick, Orlandersmith strings together her poetry and character sketches into Pieces, performing June 30-July 1. Sarah Peterson directs this work-in-progress centered on racial issues.
Vacation disasters are the subject of Ayvazian's High Dive, an audience participation solo piece, running June 28-July 1. David Warren directs.
After a successful February tour of area high schools, James Pachino's Race, based on the 1992 Studs Terkel book, stops at the Long Wharf June 21 and 25. These performances are presented in conjunction with The Anti-Defamation League and will feature talkbacks with a representative from the League. Tickets to all performances are $5. For reservations and information, call (203) 787-4282. The Long Wharf Theatre is on the web at http://www.longwharf.org.
-- By Christine Ehren
