New York helmer and A Contemporary Theatre artistic director Gordon Edelstein will leave his Seattle berth in July to take the reins at New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre. Edelstein has served ACT since 1997. Edelstein, whose recent works seen in New York include The Syringa Tree, A Skull in Connemara, In the Penal Colony and Power Plays with Elaine May and Alan Arkin, was associate artistic director of the Long Wharf before taking the AD post at ACT. Edelstein replaces Doug Hughes who left the Long Wharf after trouble with the theatre's board.

Hughes had headed the Long Wharf since 1997 when he replaced the company's longest serving artistic director Arvin Brown. Under his leadership, Long Wharf transferred several productions to Off-Broadway including Wit, Red, Down the Garden Paths and The Dog Problem.

Before his tenure ends July 1, Edelstein will direct Jane Alexander in Mourning Becomes Electra at ACT. He will also return to Seattle for a fall production of The Education of Randy Newman.

ACT's replacement artistic director has not been announced. The company is currently staffed by producing director Vito Zingarelli, managing director Jim Loder and associate artistic director Kurt Beattie.

— By Christine Ehren