BAAL by Bertolt Brecht Opens Yale School of Drama 2007-08 Season
"Those Days of Sixties"
photo by Jan Saudek
Director, Snehal Desai
photo by Erik Pearson
OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 3
Bertolt Brecht’s Baal opens the 2007-2008 Yale School of Drama series (James Bundy, Dean; Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean) October 29 through November 3, 2007.
Brecht’s first play (1918), Baal is the story of a poet’s unquenchable sexual desire, unspeakable violence, and unmatched lyricism. Baal’s journey of desire and self-destruction begins in his favorite watering hole where he attracts and repels patrons, friends, and lovers.
As directed by Snehal Desai, this visceral and raucous production includes drag performances, live music, and full dance numbers. The New Haven band The Simple Pleasure (thesimplepleasure.com) has filled in the long lost gaps between Brecht’s written ballads and his music with electrifying synth-pop rock numbers. The audience will be seated amid the spectacle, on stage, at cabaret tables, and on bar stools at a bar.
Director,
Snehal Desai
Snehal Desai – is a third year directing student at the 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, the world premiere of FOB: Fresh off the Boeing, 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 the Sarah Ruhl play Eurydice (Second Stage Theatre). Snehal is a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and was a summer 2007 literary fellow with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. He is summa cum laude graduate of Emory University with a BA in Political Science and Theater Studies.
What Baal is NOT: Baal Meet & Greet Video
The cast of eleven 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 the University Theater, 222 York Street in New Haven. Seating is limited.
Monday, October 29, 2007 at 8pm, Preview
Tuesday, October 30 at 8pm, Opening & Press Night
Wednesday, October 31 at 8pm
Thursday, November 1 at 8pm
Friday, November 2 at 8 pm
Saturday, November 3 at 2 pm
Tickets are $18, $12 for students and seniors. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Tickets may be purchased online, by calling 203.432.1234, or in person at the Yale Repetory Theatre Box Office at 1120 Chapel Street (at York Street).
