Famed director Andrei Serban and musical composer Elizabeth Swados collaborate on a new production of Ibsen's sprawling work, Peer Gynt, which will be presented by Columbia University's Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theater Studies Nov. 2-16.

Bathsheba Doran adapted Ibsen's epic tale of a rebellious, adventurous youth who travels the world, above ground and into the underworld, in search of his fate—or is it in flight from his fate? The play has thwarted the efforts of the theatre's best directors. Ibsen actually wrote Peer Gynt for reading purposes only, and never intended for it to be staged.

Serban, however, is known for liking a challenge. Over the years, he has often provoked critics and audiences with his avant garde versions of classic Greek, British and Russian works, often at La MaMa and the Public Theater.

The play will take place at the Theatre of the Riverside Church (120th St.) at 91 Claremont Avenue in Mahattan. For information, call (212) 870-6784.

—By Robert Simonson