Greek leader Agamemnon, his wife Clytemnestra and daughter Iphigeneia will be portrayed by (from left) Christopher McHale, Ching Valdes-Aran and Julyana Soelistyo in the Yale Rep's production of "Iphigeneia at Aulis," a contemporary adaptation of Euripides' classic drama about war and sacrifice, being presented April 25-May 18.

Yale Rep staging tale about 'the sacrifice of innocence'

The moral complexities of war -- especially the question of whether to sacrifice the innocent for the greater good -- will be explored in a contemporary adaptation of Euripides' "Iphigeneia at Aulis," the final production of the Yale Repertory Theatre's 2001-2002 season. The production, which will be directed by School of Drama alumna Rebecca Bayla Taichman, will run April 25-May 18. The classic Greek drama -- written over 2,400 years ago -- has been newly translated and adapted by Kenneth Cavander. At the start of the play, the Greek armada, ready to make for Troy to rescue the stolen Helen, is becalmed on the shores of Greece at Aulis by the goddess Artemis. To appease the goddess, Agamemnon, commander of the Greek forces, must sacrifice his beloved daughter Iphigeneia. The play explores Agamemnon's struggle between his love for his daughter and his desire to achieve his country's military objective and bring glory to himself. "I can think of no more relevant story to share," says Taichman, "In a retelling of this story of the sacrifice of innocence, it is horribly striking how familiar Euripides' Aulis is today. "Having had our mythic skyline shattered and restless to move forward, we need ever more urgently to look back as the future unfolds in hints and guesses," she adds. "It is the myth-producing/dream-making part of the mind that can take us furthest back and most deeply into new possibilities. If dreams are individual myth making, perhaps myths are the things a culture dreams." Taichman is best known to Yale audiences for "The People vs. The God of Vengeance," which she created and directed while studying at the School of Drama. Her New York credits include the Obie Award-winning "Menopausal Gentleman," "'Night Sweetheart 'Night Buttercup" and "Usual Suspect." She has also directed numerous regional productions, and co-created and directed "Green Violin: Chagall & The Yiddish Theater" in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Julyana Soelistyo, who received a 1998 Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of the title role in David Henry Hwang's "Golden Child," will appear in the title role of Iphigeneia. Soelistyo also won the Clarence Derwent Award for her work in "Golden Child," a role she also played Off-Broadway at the Public Theater, the Kennedy Center, the Geary and Singapore Rep. In addition to her numerous New York and regional credits, she appeared in the films "Bringing Out the Dead" and "Earthly Possessions." Christopher McHale, who portrays Agamemnon, has appeared many times at the Yale Rep, in such plays as "Night Is Mother to the Day," "The Beach," "Figaro/Figaro," "Pentecost" and "Petersburg." He appeared in the Broadway production of "Execution of Justice," as well as many other New York and regional productions. The other cast members include (in alphabetical order) Maria Dizzia (Chorus), George Hall (Old Man), Jennifer Lim (Chorus), Heather Mazur (Chorus), Chris McKinney (Menelaus), Charles Parnell (Achilles), Ching Valdes-Aran (Clytemnestra) and Eunice Wong (Dreamer/Chorus). Members of the creative team are Christine Jones (set designer), Constance Hoffman (costume designer) and Martin Desjardins (sound designer/composer). "Iphigeneia at Aulis" will be performed at 7 p.m. on Mondays and at 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. (except on April 27). There is a special Wednesday matinee on May 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22-$39. For more information, call the Yale Rep box office at (203) 432-1234 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday or visit www.yalerep.org. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S For first time, applicants get admissions news online Communiversity Day will be held April 20 Study: Children's lives not improved by welfare reform Statesman warns victory in Afghanistan is . . . Surgeon/trustee tells youngsters: Don't make excuses F&ES adding four new assistant professors to faculty 'Journalists and Terrorism' is focus of Poynter talk Conference to explore Agent Orange's effect . . . IN FOCUS: Bright Bodies Program Yale Rep staging tale about 'the sacrifice of innocence' Gowin's aerial images capture human abuse of Earth Related exhibits offer views of the changing American landscape Scholar to discuss Freud's view of the biblical Moses Theme of sacrifice in biblical literature is explored in exhibit Leader in genome sequencing to speak at medical school Benefit art auction will feature works by Yale faculty artists Concert features musical portrait of 'Three Places in New Haven' Yale scientists begin new round of tests on cocaine vaccine Memorial service for James Tobin Frontiers of Science Online parking renewals offered again Campus Notes Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page