Long Wharf Theatre To Honor Gordon Edelstein's 10 Years As Artistic Director

Ten years ago, when Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein was hired to lead Long Wharf Theatre, he was asked by the New York Times about what draws him to a particular play.

"Does it have something to do with what it is to be alive?" Edelstein told the Times. "That is the litmus test for me."

A decade after uttering those words, Edelstein has led the institution in an exploration of all facets of the human condition, creating vibrant, relevant theatre for the Greater New Haven and national theatrical community.

Charles Kingsley, board chair, and the Board of Trustees honor Edelstein's singular contribution to Long Wharf Theatre and The National Theatre scene, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011. "With an artistic touch by turns muscular and light, and a presence that is truly larger than life, Gordon continues to make a singular, distinctive mark on Long Wharf and on The National Theatre scene. We are delighted to honor his first ten years with us and look forward to much, much more," Kingsley said.

The tribute dinner will take place on the Mainstage, and feature an entertaining evening of toasts, roasts, music and production highlights beginning at 7:30 p.m. A special cocktail reception with some of the great artists Edelstein has cultivated over his career will begin at 5:30 p.m.

"Gordon is a man of appetites - for Life, for Love and most of all, for all the beautiful unmanageable paradoxes and ambiguities of the human heart. His trust and faith have empowered me," said Athol Fugard, an honorary chair who has had new plays at Long Wharf Theatre each of the last three seasons.
In addition to Fugard, the honorary event chairs are Jane Alexander, Arvin Brown, Judith Ivey, Eugene Lee, Ming Cho Lee, Donald Margulies, Anna Deavere Smith, Paula Vogel and Sam Waterston.

Edelstein has gained recent critical plaudits for his productions of The Glass Menagerie, starring Judith Ivey and his continued support of Fugard through productions of Coming Home, Have You Seen Us? and The Train Driver. He is currently directing The Crucible at Hartford Stage and will be directing Fugard's Road to Mecca at the Roundabout Theatre on Broadway.

To purchase tickets to the event, contact Kathy Cihi at 203-772-8234. For more information about Long Wharf Theatre's 2011-12 season call 203-787-4282 or visit www.longwharf.org.

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