Yale Summer Cabaret Announces 2000 Season

NEW HAVEN — Ensemble Company for the Performing Arts has announced the lineup for Yale Summer Cabaret’s 26th season, this year under the leadership of artistic director Shannon C.M. Flynn and managing director Lori Monnier. Running through August 19 at Yale Cabaret, 217 Park Street in New Haven’s arts and entertainment district, the 2000 season celebrates playwrights affiliated with the Yale School of Drama (YSD), including Len Jenkin and Charles Ludlam, as well as Drama School alumni Christopher Durang and current YSD playwright Leslie Kramer.

The season opener, Poor Folk’s Pleasure by Len Jenkin, being directed by Summer Cabaret Artistic Associate Glynis Rigsby, opened June 29 and will remain in production until July 8. A wild ride through the dark underbelly of Americana, Poor Folk’s Pleasure weaves together scenes, songs and dances, while introducing audiences to Leroy Smiles, The Crab Man, and the aphasic Franky the Finn.

The season continues July 12-22 with a world premier adaptation of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis by YSD playwright Leslie Kramer. What Kafka’s protagonist discovers upon waking one morning will amuse and intrigue audiences. Shannon C.M. Flynn directs this contemporary adaptation that manages to find humor in a nightmarish situation.

Christopher Durang’s screwball satire Beyond Therapy plays July 26 through August 5. Being directed by Kelly Flynn, Beyond Therapy exposes the wacky neuroses of Bruce and Prudence, who meet through the personals section of the local newspaper. Their crazy first date is a roller coaster ride that leads each of them to consult a psychiatrist.

The season closes with Charles Ludlam’s mad-capped The Mystery of Irma Vep, running August 9-19. Directed by Summer Cabaret artistic director Shannon C.M. Flynn, The Mystery of Irma Vep is an astonishing tour-de-force in which two performers portray men, women and an assortment of monsters in a full-length, quick-change act.

Set in an English estate, The Mystery Of Irma Vep examines the crazy life and times of Lady Enid Hillcrest and her uppercrust husband, Lord Edgar. But it is the memory of Edgar’s first wife, Lady Irma, which haunts every member of Lord Edgar’s household. Throw in a spooky painting, an obsession with ancient Egypt and rumors of werewolves, and Irma Vep spoofs every cliché of overblown British theatre.

Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8:30 pm, with the house opening for dinner service at 7 pm. Kristyn LaPlante is returning as Cabaret chef for her fifth and final summer. The menu includes a selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and hot entrees, as well as desserts. Beer and wine are also available.

Individual tickets for all Summer Cabaret productions are on sale and range in price from $10 to $16. Subscription packages, ranging in price from $36 to $56, are currently on sale. Discounted tickets are available for students, senior citizens and groups. For more information, call the Summer Cabaret box office at 203/432-1567.