Dates Set for Beckett Shorts, Starring Baryshnikov

Dates have been set for New York Theatre Workshop's upcoming production of Beckett Shorts, an evening of four one-act plays by Samuel Beckett starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and directed by JoAnne Akalaitis. Previews will begin on December 5 at the company's off-Broadway theater, with opening night is scheduled for December 16. Beckett Shorts will feature original music by Philip Glass.

The bill of Beckett Shorts includes "Act Without Words I," "Act Without Words II," "Eh Joe" and "Rough For Theatre I." After a successful workshop of the four plays this past spring, Akalaitis invited Bill Camp currently Alceste in The Misanthrope at NYTW, Karen Kandel and David Neumann to join Baryshnikov in the cast.

Internationally renowned sculptor and architect Alexander Brodsky joins the creative team for Beckett Shorts in his first theatrical effort as set designer. The creative team also includes costume design by Kaye Voyce, lighting design by Jennifer Tipton and video design by Mirit Tal.

NYTW artistic director James Nicola said in a statement, "JoAnne Akalaitis and Philip Glass were two of the founding members of the inimitable theatre collective Mabou Mines, which was partly established in response to the founders' deep regard for the writing of Samuel Beckett. In turn, Mabou Mines came to be recognized as one of the foremost interpreters of his work. Audiences have long awaited the next Beckett production from Akalaitis and Glass, and their collaboration with dance luminary Mikhail Baryshnikov and internationally renowned sculptor Alexander Brodsky on Beckett Shorts is a historic event that New York Theatre Workshop is proud and honored to be a part of."

Beckett's work includes the plays Waiting for Godot, Endgame, Happy Days, Krapp's Last Tape and Play, as well as numerous novels, short plays, and plays for television and radio. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969.