 | This is the image for the Yale Rep's final play of the season. "The Unmentionables" is a new play about two white American couples and their experiences in Africa. |
The Yale Repertory Theatre will conclude its 2006-2007 season on a comic note, with a production of Bruce Norris' "The Unmentionables," about four self-delusional Americans abroad in the Third World.
This is the East Coast premiere of the play, which will be directed by Yale School of Drama alumna Anna D. Shapiro, who staged the play's world premiere at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company last summer. The show will run May 4-26.
Set in a fictitious nation in western equatorial Africa, "The Unmentionables" concerns two white American couples -- a wealthy industrialist and his wife, and a Christian charity worker and his girlfriend -- who find themselves negotiating a doctor's mockery, a politician's bravado, a teenager's hostility, as well as a lurking military presence. The Americans' notions of themselves are tested when they become more deeply involved with the local population than they had intended. The play contains strong language.
"We are delighted to present the second production of this remarkable new play by Bruce Norris, and to support his ongoing collaboration with Anna Shapiro," says James Bundy, artistic director of Yale Repertory Theatre and dean of the Yale School of Drama. "Bruce's many productions at Steppenwolf and in New York have marked him as an important and original voice in the American theater, and it's especially gratifying that this play marks Anna's return to Yale, where she herself trained as a director."
Paul Vincent O'Connor portrays the rich entrepreneur, Don. O'Connor, who was a company member at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for 16 years, was last seen on the East Coast in "The Drawer Boy" at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2005. The character of Nancy, Don's wife, is played by Lisa Emery, who appeared on Broadway in "The Smell of the Kill," "The Women" and "Present Laughter," and Off-Broadway in "Abigail's Party" (receiving Lortel and Drama Desk nominations) and "Iron" (earning an Obie Award). Brian Hutchison, who plays the Christian charity worker Dave, was seen earlier this season at Yale Rep in "Black Snow," and has appeared on Broadway in "The Invention of Love" and "Proof." Kelly Hutchinson plays Jane, Dave's girlfriend. Hutchinson has appeared on Broadway in "Major Barbara" and "Macbeth."
Reprising the roles of civil servant Aunty Mimi and the adolescent boy Etienne are Ora Jones and Jon Hill, both members of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble. Jones, a recipient of two After Dark Awards and a Black Theatre Alliance Award, can be seen in the films "Stranger Than Fiction" with Will Ferrell and "The Weatherman" with Nicholas Cage. Hill made his professional debut at Steppenwolf in "The Unmentionables." Kenn E. Head and Chiké Johnson also reprise their roles from the Chicago premiere as the Doctor and Soldier 1, respectively. Completing the cast as Soldier 2 is Sam Gordon, who appeared Off-Broadway in "The Grille Room," "Abundance" and "The Challenge."
Yale Rep's production of "The Unmentionables" features set design by Todd Rosenthal, costumes by James Schuette, lighting by Ann G. Wrightson and sound design by Amy Altadonna. The dramaturgs are Michael Walkup and Krista Williams.
Norris is an actor and writer whose other plays include "The Infidel" (2000), "Purple Heart" (2002), "We All Went Down to Amsterdam" (2003) and "The Pain and the Itch" (2004), all of which received their premieres at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He has also worked with Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre, Playwrights Horizons (New York) and the Galway Festival (Galway, Ireland). He received the Whiting Foundation Prize for Drama and two Joseph Jefferson Awards for Best New Work. As an actor he can be seen in the films "A Civil Action" and "The Sixth Sense."
Shapiro, who earned her M.F.A. at the Yale School of Drama in 1993, has been affiliated with Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 1995, serving as the original director of its New Plays Initiative and later joining its artistic staff as the resident director. She currently serves as an artistic associate; she was made an ensemble member in 2005. At Steppenwolf, she has directed the world premieres of four of Norris' other plays, among numerous other productions. She received a 1996 Princess Grace Award. Since 2003, Shapiro has been the head of the graduate directing program in theater at Northwestern University.
The Unmentionables will be performed at the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel St. (at York). Evening performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; matinees are at
Other special events being offered in conjunction with the production are: "Talk Back," conversations with members of the cast and creative team, after the May 12 and May 19 matinees and the May 15 evening performance (sponsored by the New Haven Advocate); a Senior Matinee, including a pre-performance conversation with members of the creative team at 1 p.m., and complimentary dessert, courtesy of Atticus Bookstore and Café, on May 16; and "Before & After," featuring a 6 p.m. pre-show pizza party and mixer at BAR (254 Crown St.) and a post-show "Talk Back" with members of the cast, on May 17.
The Open Captioned and Audio Described performance of "The Unmentionables" is Saturday, May 19, at 2 p.m. Open captioning offers patrons a digital display of the play's dialogue as it is spoken and is provided for the Yale Rep by c2inc. The number for teletype orders is (203) 432-1521. Audio description offers a live narration via headset of the play's action, sets and costumes for blind or low vision patrons via headset. Pre-show description begins in the theater at 1:45 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $35 to $55, with discounts available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. For tickets or more information, visit www.yalerep.org or call (203) 432-1234.
Production support for "The Unmentionables" is provided by TIAA-CREF.
T H I S
Yale Rep ends season with East Coast
premiere of 'The Unmentionables'
2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 and 19, and on Wednesday, May 16. Lower-priced previews are May 4-9 at 8 p.m. There is a Monday night preview on May 7 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, May 10, at 8 p.m., with a cast party at Zinc (964 Chapel St.) after the performance.
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Center's initiative to promote understanding of Middle East
New policies offer academic relief to Ph.D. students who are new parents
Despite challenges, accessibility improving in Yale buildings
'Growing and Learning Together'
Immunology comes of age at the School of Medicine
The nation needs more 'conversation,' says television anchor
SOM HONORS
State Hispanic organization recognizes the school for . . .
First-year students win an online contest involving the simulation . . .
Yale Rep ends season with East Coast premiere of 'The Unmentionables'
Art exhibit explores the question: 'What Is a Line?'
Smoking status a 'red flag' for alcohol misuse, study finds
Study reveals abnormal patterns of facial recognition . . .
Student-made machines will vie in 'Yale Robot Wars' competition
Display explores historical process of globalization
Panel to discuss the early shapers of globalization
Show sketches the lives of residential college namesakes
Divinity School event to examine issues of 'Faith and Citizenship'
Brain networks strengthened by closing ion channels, study finds
Attention deficits found in teen smokers who were exposed to . . .
A2K2 conference will focus on access to knowledge issues
Films and readings will offer insights into views on aging in India and Japan
Center's inaugural conference will explore ways that social . . .
Event showcases medical students' original research
New system eliminates wait time for bus riders
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home