New Director's Series:
Rhinoceros

RHINOCEROS by Eugene Ionesco

Considered by many to be one of the greatest plays of the last century, Rhinoceros uniquely studies the contemporary tension between individuality and adaptation, reason and nature. Enter Berenger, an alcoholic, sexually frustrated bachelor trying to turn his life around with the help of his close friend Jean. As the two share Sunday brunch at a local outdoor cafe, a rhinoceros runs through the town square. Inconceivably, the townspeople begin to turn into rhinoceroses. Instinctive terror turns into justification as people learn to "move with the times." And the epidemic begins...

Eugene Ionesco, an internationally renowned playwright and absurdist master, profoundly altered the face of modern drama. He wrote more than 20 plays, including The Bald Soprano and The Chairs, and was elected a member of the French Academy. He is acknowledged as one of the most important figures in the history of avant garde theatre.

For this production, we will be using a new translation by Allen J. Kuharski and George Moskos. Originally commissioned by the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, the translation has since been produced by Theater Exile in Philadelphia and Berkeley Rep in California. "...newly translated with crystalline clarity...they have made it absolutely accessible to the American ear." CityPaper, Philadelphia

Director Caleb Hammond has directed, performed and displayed work throughout the US and abroad, most notably at the Prague Fringe Festival in the Czech Republic, ATA Screening Room in San Francisco, the Red Room in Manhattan, the Flux Factory in Queens, and the New Haven International Festival of Arts and Ideas. He recently relocated to the Boston area, and most recently produced his Quixotic Arts Festival at the Chelsea Theatre Works.

Cast:
Housewife................Ann Carpenter
Grocer's Wife................Kate Reilly
Grocer................Gordon Vidaver
Jean................Ethan Corbin
Berenger................Mark W. Soucy
Waitress................Elizabeth Stuart
Logician................Gail Gilmore
Old Man................Rick Carpenter
Proprietor................Alain Groene
Daisy................Julie McNiven
Botard................Flavia Steiner
Dudard................Greg Raposa
Papillon................Carlos Zalduondo
Mrs. Boeuf................Liz Robbins
Firewoman................Sonya Joyner
Young Man................John Morton
Young Man's Wife................Becca A. Lewis

Direction................Caleb Hammond
Stage Manager................Valerie Mansolilli
Asst. Stage Manager................Rachel Moliere
Sound Designer................Liz Fiorentino
Asst. Sound Designer................Gabe Wood
Lighting Designer................Meaghan Dutton
Costume Designer................Tracy Campbell
Props Master................Elizabeth Hill
Masks................Fay Gerbes
Set Crew................James Cain, Simon Crump, Jesiah Hammond, Barry Cromwell
Light Board Operator................Ecos Garcia
House Managers................Bob Boulrice, Margaret Carsley, Elizabeth Kurtz, Ida Rudolf
Sound Design features David Michael Curry on horns.