Moscow Rothschild's Fiddle at the Yale Rep

[Kate Holland]

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Yale Repertory Theatre

Don't miss the world-premiere production coming to Yale Rep from Moscow!

Rothschild's Fiddle
short story by Anton Chekhov
Adapted and Directed by Kama Ginkas
Performed in Russian with English supertitles
January 14 - 31, 2004

ROTHSCHILD’S FIDDLE
 In January 2004, Yale Repertory Theatre presents the results of a unique international collaboration with the world premiere production of
Rothschild’s Fiddle, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s short story, adapted and directed by Kama Ginkas, one of Russia’s most acclaimed and
inventive directors.

 Chekhov’s short story is a moving fable about the village curmudgeon, Yakov Ivanov, a 70-year old coffin maker living in a town where people “die
so rarely it’s annoying.”  No wonder, then, that he spends most days anxiously waiting for Death to bring him some business, passing the time
by playing his fiddle in the local Jewish band.  When Death does bring him a somewhat surprising customer, he strives to find meaning and value
in the absurdity and ordinariness of life before it’s too late:

“Why did people always do exactly what they should not do?  Why had Yakov spent his whole life abusing people, growling at them, threatening
them with his fists, and offending his wife, and, you might ask, what need had there been to frighten and insult the Jew earlier that day?
Generally, why did people interfere with each other’s lives?  It made for such losses!  Such terrible losses!  If there were no hatred and malice,
people would be of enormous benefit to each other.”

 Kama Ginkas was born in Lithuania and came to broad recognition in Russia in the mid-1980’s with the propagation of perestroika.  His Moscow
productions have toured throughout Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and the former Yugoslavia.

 Moscow Times critic John Freedman, who has chronicled the work of the artist, notes what have emerged as trademarks of Kama Ginkas’ work:
“Humor and horror are mixed inextricably.  The result is a powerful, very personal kind of theatre that is liable to hit a spectator like a fist in the
solar plexus.  Another trademark is his ability to imbue the most common objects and actions with emotional force.  He calls it evoking a
‘physiological response’ from the spectator.”

 Yale Repertory Theatre comes to this international collaboration with Moscow’s internationally renowned MTYZ Theatre/Moscow New
Generations Theatre company through the guiding vision of Artistic Director James Bundy:  “Theater is a unique vehicle for discovering and
probing the most immediate and profound questions of our time.  International theatrical collaboration enhances the growth of human
understanding: by helping us to recognize our similarities and differences; by engaging us in a dialogue about what the world is; and by allowing
us to dream the world as the better place it may become.”  Further evidence of Yale Rep’s commitment to explore the Russian culture was the
decision to perform the play in Russian with English supertitles.  Yale Rep aims to excite its current audience with the unique nature of the
collaboration, as well as reach out to the substantial Russian community of New England and New York.

Performed at the University Theatre

222 York Street, New Haven

Tickets 203-432-1234

Special rates for groups of 10 or more!

Call 203-432-1572 for more information.
www.yalerep.org

Ticket prices range from $15 (groups) to $42

This production is generously supported by Peter Hoffman, Seven Arts, Ltd.

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