Yale Rep Postpones 'Tartuffe' Due to Student Death

James Bundy, Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, has announced a major change in the performance schedule for the theater's next production, Moliere's Tartuffe, or the Imposter.  Originally scheduled to begin performances on November 26, the production will now begin on Monday, December 3.  Opening night and press night has been re-scheduled for Thursday, December 6 and the production will close as scheduled on Saturday, December 22.

"Our Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama community suffered the tragic loss of a beloved student and colleague, Pierre-André Salim, during the load-in of the set for Tartuffe," said Bundy, who is also Dean of the Yale School of Drama.  "We are delaying performances in part to give our community time to come together in support of Pierre's family, friends and colleagues, and begin to heal."  Pierre-André Salim was a second year student in the school's Technical Design and Production M.F.A. program.

The Yale Rep Box Office will be contacting ticket holders for the canceled November 26 through December 1 performances.  Ticket holders may also contact the Box Office directly at (203) 432-1234.

Tartuffe, or the Imposter is directed by Daniel Fish, who also directed the world premiere of The Black Monk by David Rabe at Yale Rep.

The cast features Zach Grenier, last seen at Yale Rep in the title role in Uncle Vanya, as Tartuffe with Michael Rudko as Orgon.  Also in the cast are Michelle Beck, Beth Dixon, Christopher Donahue, Andy Paterson, Christina Rouner, Tom Story, Daniel Cameron Talbott, Nick Westrate, and Sally Wingert.

Scenic design is by John Conklin, costume design is by Kaye Voyce, lighting design is by Jane Cox, sound design is by Karin Graybash, and video design is by Alexandra Eaton.

"In Tartuffe, or the Imposter, the wealthy Orgon has fallen under the spell of Tartuffe and refuses to see what's as plain as the nose on his face:  beneath a pious façade, Tartuffe is an imposter – a grasping schemer intent on the family's fortune and their daughter's hand in marriage.  In Daniel Fish's production of Richard Wilbur's English verse translation, actors are joined onstage by a videographer who makes visible what would otherwise be hidden from view.  With an engine fueled by secrets, scandals and lies, Tartuffe, or the Imposter remains as wickedly pointed as when it first played in 1664," explain press notes.

Four and six ticket Flex Passes are available and may be used for the remaining plays in the season.  Flex 4 is $180 and Flex 6 is $250; both let patrons select the plays and dates of their choice.  Flex Passes may be redeemed on a per-show basis allowing patrons to decide how many passes to redeem for one or more productions.

Single tickets range from $35 to $58, with discounts for students and seniors.  To order tickets and Flex Passes visit www.yalerep.org, call (203) 432-1234, or visit the box office at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel Street (at York Street) in New Haven, CT.

New Performance Schedule: December 3 & 4 at 8PM; December 5 at 2PM & 8PM; December 6 (Opening) at 8PM; December 7 at 8PM; Saturday December 8 at 2PM (open-captioned, talk-back) & 8PM; Dcember 10 at 8PM; December 11 at 8PM (talk-back); December 12 at 8PM; December 13 at 8PM (talk-back); December 14 at 8PM; December 15 at 2PM (audio-described) & 8PM; December 21 at 8PM; December 22 at 2PM (talk-back) & 8PM.

Note:  The Yale Rep Box Office will be contacting ticket holders for the canceled November 26 through December 1 performances.  Ticket holders may also contact the Box Office directly at (203) 432-1234.

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