The timeless yearning of Jews to be safe from persecution is one of the themes that will be explored in "The Golem," the School of Drama's next production, which will be staged Monday-Saturday, March 8-13, at the University Theatre, 222 York St.

Set in 17th-century Prague in a world where mystical religious figures and otherworldly realms intersect and collide, "The Golem" explores the violence, guilt and persecution with which Jews have struggled for centuries. Written in 1920 by Yiddish playwright and poet H. Leivick and translated by Joseph C. Landis, the play has been adapted by third-year drama student Eyal Goldberg, who will direct the production as his thesis project.

Leivick's play is based on the medieval Jewish legends of Rabbi Loew of Prague, and tells the story of the creation of a "golem," a being made of clay that is endowed with life. Wishing to protect the Jews against persecution, including the accusations that Jews slaughter Christian children and use their blood to prepare matzoh for Passover, the Rabbi, or "Maharal," uses his extensive knowledge of Jewish kabbalistic texts and rituals to create the powerful golem. Although a creature of brute strength, the golem struggles to fulfill his role as the messiah of the Jews.

"'The Golem' explores and actively questions the yearning of man for redemption," says Goldberg. "The continuing expectations and longing of Jews for a messiah who will arrive and restore the Kingdom of David has shaped our lives in exile. The questions regarding the nature of man and these conflicts are relevant even today in the violence that surrounds the need for the creation and existence of the Jewish state of Israel."

To illustrate the play's centuries-old but timeless themes, the production team has interwoven traditions from many historical periods, according to production dramaturg Maria E. Padilla. "From the very beginning of this collaborative process we've drawn from traditions as varied as eastern European avant garde, expressionism, contemporary performance art and installation pieces, the Old Masters, illuminated manuscripts of ancient Jewish texts, war photography and Jewish folk art to create a richly layered theater piece," she says.

The ensemble features James Bellavance portraying the title role and Ronald Dean Nolen as the Maharal, Rabbi of Prague. The cast also includes Amy Morse, Lael Logan, Robert Devaney, Harvey Gardner Moore, Peter T. Katona, Eric Martin Brown, Remy-Luc Auberjonois, Paul Vincent Black, Rick Bank, Brandon Todd Miller, Patrick L. Huey and Nicholas Pepper.

Also collaborating on the production are set designer Adrian W. Jones, lighting designer Matthew Richards, costume designer Miguel Angel Huidor and sound designer Geoff Zink. Live musicians will be featured on stage. Compact disc recordings of the original score will be available for sale on performance nights.

Performance times for "The Golem" are 7 p.m. on Monday and 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Ticket prices range from $8 to $15 with discounts for students, senior citizens and groups of 10 or more. For information and reservations, call the Yale Repertory Theatre box office at 432-1234, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays. More information can also be found at www.yale. edu/yalerep/ysd3.html.

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