Yale Bulletin and Calendar

October 26, 2007|Volume 36, Number 8

Bryce Pinkham appears in the title role of Baal, and Nicole Berger portrays Sophie, one of the poet's love interests, in the play by Bertolt Brecht, which will be staged Oct. 29-Nov. 3 in the University Theater.

School of Drama to stage
Brecht’s first play, ‘Baal’

Members of the audience will get a closer-than-front-row view of the action when the Yale School of Drama presents “Baal,” Bertolt Brecht’s tale of a poet’s debauchery, as its first production of the 2007-2008 season.

The play, directed by drama school student Snehal Desai, will be staged Tuesday-Saturday, Oct. 29-Nov. 3, in the University Theatre, 222 York St.

Written in 1918, “Baal” was Brecht’s first play. It is the story of a poet’s “unquenchable sexual desire, unspeakable violence and unmatched lyricism,” according to the director. Baal’s journey of desire and self-destruction begins in his favorite watering hole, where he attracts and repels patrons, friends and lovers. The audience will be seated amid the spectacle on stage at cabaret tables and on stools at a bar. (Please note: The content of the play is appropriate for mature audiences only.)

Desai’s production includes drag performances, live music and full dance numbers. The New Haven band The Simple Pleasure has filled in the gaps between Brecht’s written ballads and his music with synth-pop rock numbers.

Desai is a third-year directing student at Yale School of Drama and the founder of The Yale Southasian Theater Collective. His work in Atlanta was produced at Dad’s Garage, Horizon Theatre Company and Theater Emory, where he served as resident director. Recent works include an adaptation of Christopher Marlowe’s “Edward II” and the world premiere of “FOB: Fresh off the Boeing,” as well as “Booty Fire,” “Laura’s Bush,” “Cabaret” and Jose Rivera’s “Marisol.” He has assisted director Mark Lamos on “Lulu” and “Pride and Prejudice the Musical,” and Les Waters on Sarah Ruhl’s play “Eurydice” at Second Stage Theatre. Desai is a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and was a summer 2007 literary fellow with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.

The cast of 11 includes Bryce Pinkham as Baal; Alex Major as Baal’s best friend, Johannes; Aubyn Dayton Philabaum as the virginal Johanna; Ashley Bryant as Baal’s latest love interest, Emilie; Luke Robertson as Baal’s brother and instigator, Ekhart; Nicole Berger as the willingly corrupted Sophie; Teresa Avia Lim as Luise; Brooke Parks as Maja; Jamel Rodriguez as Mech; Rene Bystron as Andre; and Amanda Warren as the infamous drag king Svettka.

“Baal” features choreography by Palo Zustiak, sets by Tim Mackabee, costumes by Amanda Seymour, lighting by Jesse Belsky, sound design by Jana Hoglund, and projections and video design by Michael Nedelman.

“Baal” will be performed at 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Seating is limited.

Tickets are $18; $12 for students and seniors. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.yale.edu/drama, by calling (203) 432-1234, or in person at the Yale Repertory Theatre box office, 1120 Chapel St. (at York).

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