Klein was the third managing director of the New Jersey theatre in the past five years, following the short tenures of Debbie Chin and Frank Mack. Klein, who came to the New theatre following a stint at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, has taken a position as president of Louisville's Kentucky Center for the Arts. Klein told the New Jersey paper, "It was the old 'offer you can't refuse.' It seemed like a very exciting opportunity." Richard McGlynn, the board chairman of the Shakespeare Theatre, added, "It was a decision on Stephen's part that he was more suited to be a CEO of a larger organization. He is a very good executive, someone who can exercise really good management skills. We didn't think it was a good fit. I'm sorry we didn't see it sooner."

McGlynn told the Star-Ledger that the board may not hire another managing director. "We're not sure that the traditional model of artistic director-managing director is the one that's going to best suit us at this stage. We're looking at other possibilities to provide the support from the management side that Bonnie [Monte] needs but to give her the freedom as artistic director."

Through Oct. 2, the New Jersey theatre is presenting Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Visit www.njshakespeare.org for more information.