Yale Bulletin and Calendar

March 15, 2002

Volume 30, Number 22

Two-Week Issue

Students' new adaptation of
'The Trial' takes to the stage

A new stage adaptation of Franz Kafka's haunting masterpiece "The Trial" will be staged by the School of Drama Monday-Saturday, March 25-30, at the University Theatre, 222 York St.

"The Trial" tells the story of Josef K., who is suddenly arrested with no explanation given and for no reason he can imagine. As he wanders through a maze of bureaucracy, declaring his innocence, he becomes more and more entangled in the system -- putting himself in ever-greater danger.

The new adaptation is written by two student playwrights at the School of Drama, Aron Ezra and Jason Lindner. It will be directed by their fellow student Shannon C.M. Flynn, who is in her final year in the Master of Fine Arts directing program.

"It never ceases to amaze me how timeless Kafka's writing is," says Flynn. "I find his writing incredibly evocative and am very excited to bring this story to life on stage. I believe Jason Lindner and Aron Ezra have written a brilliant adaptation that captures the humor and terror of Josef K.'s circumstances found in Kafka's writing."

Although practically unknown during his own lifetime, Kafka is now considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Born in Prague in 1883, he wrote short stories and novels; among his better-known works are "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial." The latter was published posthumously in 1925. A central theme of his works has been man's anxiety and alienation in a disjointed, hostile world.

Flynn was the artistic director of Summer Cabaret at Yale in 2000 and 2001, and was the artistic director of Hunger Artist Theatre Company 1996-1999. Her previous directing credits of Kafka's works include "Red Peter" (an adaptation of the writer's "Report to an Academy"), "In the Penal Colony" and "The Metamorphosis."

Ezra is a playwright and screenwriter who has received several national writing honors from organizations such as the Breadloaf Writers' Conference, the Writers Film Project, the Humana Festival and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. His play "Common Rooms" was performed at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago, the LA City College Theatre in Los Angeles and the Princeton Blackbox Theatre.

Lindner is also in the School of Drama's playwrighting program. His works have been performed at the Mint Theatre in New York, the Uffish Theatre in Chicago and the Hunger Artists in Los Angeles.

Featured in "The Trial" is Matthew Humphreys as Josef K. Rounding out the ensemble are Stefani Katarini Cvijetic, Greg Felden, Phyllis Johnson, Billy Eugene Jones, Peter Kim, Derek Lucci, Tony Manna, LeRoy McClain, Maulik Pancholy, Adam Richman, Tijuana T. Ricks and Carlos M. Tesoro.

The artistic staff for the production includes scenic designer Young Ju Baik, costume designer China Lee, lighting designer S. Ryan Schmidt, sound designer Mimi Epstein, dramaturgs Kate Bredeson and Magda Romanska and stage manager Christine Collins.

Performance times for "The Trial" are Monday at 7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Individual tickets range from $15 to $18. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. To order tickets or for more information, call the Yale Repertory Theatre's box office at (203) 432-1234. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

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American Academy of Arts and Letters Awards

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Men's basketball team concludes record-setting season

Nobel Prize-winning economist James Tobin dies at 84

In Focus: Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

Silviculturalist Oliver named to Pinchot chair

Berkeley and Yale Divinity Schools renew their affiliation

Erikson and Timmons awarded DeVane Medals

Alumnus describes how engineers 'cook up' new products

Haller and Henrich reappointed as college masters

Levin visits with alumni across the nation and beyond

Exhibit documents volunteers' role in Spanish Civil War

Event explores role of faith, gender in fighting AIDS in Africa

Team develops rules for identifying unseen problems in elderly

Researcher's index assesses mortality risk for elderly patients

Drama School actors gang up for 'Serious Money'

Students' new adaptation of 'The Trial' takes to the stage

Work of architect on view in 'Zaha Hadid Laboratory'

Conference will examine the changing notions of beauty

Panel looks at ethical issues nurses face

Yale Books in Brief

Campus Notes