Sam Waterston, a man of theatre and star of TV's "Law & Order," will return to the former in May 2003 when he stars in a world-premiere adaptation of The Black Monk, at Yale Repertory Theatre.
David Rabe (Hurlyburly) penned the new work, drawing on a novella by Anton Chekhov. Daniel Fish directs. Performances begin May 9, 2003, at Yale Rep in New Haven, CT. Opening is May 15, with performances playing to May 31.
The play is the newly announced sixth entry in the theatre's 2002-2003 season. Waterston will play Yegor Semyonitch Pesotsky. The story concerns Pesotsky; his daughter, Tanya; and Andrei Vasilich Kovrin, the brilliant, but haunted philosophy student who grew up with the Pesotsky family, and returns to live with them after completing his degree. "In the orchards of the Pesotsky estate, romance and mysticism are at odds, and the fate of two families hangs in the balance," according to the announcement.
Designers are Christine Jones (set), Jane Greenwood (costume) and Stephen Strawbridge (lighting).
Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe's other works include The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel, Sticks and Bones, The Orphan, In the Boom Boom Room, Streamers, Goose and Tom Tom, Those the River Keeps, A Question of Mercy and The Dog Problem. Director Fish helmed Charles Mee's True Love, Off-Broadway, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Learned Ladies (McCarter Theatre), Cymbeline (California Shakespeare Festival), Twelfth Night and The Merry Wives of Windsor (The Shakespeare Theatre).
Sam Waterston's Broadway credits include Abe Lincoln in Illinois, A Walk in the Woods, Benefactors, Lunch Hour, Hamlet, A Doll’s House, Much Ado About Nothing, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, Hay Fever, Indians, Halfway Up the Tree and Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama’s Hung Up in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad. His film credits include "Crimes and Misdemeanors," "Hannah and Her Sisters," "The Great Gatsby" and "Serial Mom."
The Black Monk dates are two weeks later than those previously announced for the sixth production in order to accommodate Waterston's prior commitments to "Law & Order."
Additional casting and single ticket information for The Black Monk will be announced soon.
Yale Rep is located at 1120 Chapel Street at York Street, in New Haven. Subscription packages for the 2002-2003 Season at Yale Rep are currently available by calling (203) 432-1234, or visiting yalerep.org.
— By Kenneth Jones
