Opening night for the new work is set for Oct. 23 at the University Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. The author of "L.A. Confidential" penned this noir crime drama which is set on the streets of Los Angeles and inspired by the real-life unsolved murder mystery of Elizabeth Short. The Black Dahlia centers on a former boxer turned cop who sets out to find the killer.

The ensemble cast features David Bardeen, Amanda Cobb, Frank Deal, Mike Dooly, Marcus Dean Fuller, Mercedes Herrero, Matt Hoverman, Allen E. Read, Christina Rouner, Sara Surrey, Graham Winton, Jeffrey Withers, and Mark Zeisler.

The design team features Peter McKintosh (scenic), Anne Kenney (costume), Stephen Strawbridge (lighting), Daniel Baker (sound) and Blythe Quinlan (projections). Mark Bly and Rachel Rusch serve as dramaturgs. Robert H. Davis is the dialect coach and B.H. Barry handles fight direction.

The Yale Rep 2003-2003 season also includes Culture Clash in AmeriCCa (Nov. 14-Dec. 6), Rothschild's Fiddle (Jan. 14-31, 2004), Avery Brooks starring in King Lear (Feb. 13-March 13, 2004), The King Stag (March 26-April 17,2004) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's The Mystery Plays (April 30-May 22, 2004).

For tickets to The Black Dahlia at Yale Rep, call (203) 432-1234 or visit www.yalerep.org.