Date: Jul 16, 2009

New Hofstra Graduates and Current Students Join In Off-Broadway Production of Pierre Corneille's "Le Cid"

July 24 to 26, 2009, at the Gene Frankel Theatre in Manhattan

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … A cast and crew comprised of recent Hofstra University graduates and current students from Hofstra’s Department of Drama and Dance will present Pierre Corneille’s Le Cid, July 24 to 26, 2009 at the Gene Frankel Theater in Manhattan.

This off-Broadway production began as a senior project last year, developed and directed by Richard Pepio, Hofstra Class of 2009. The play will reunite the entire Hofstra student cast, which originally performed the work at Hofstra’s Emily Lowe Hall in December 2008.

Pepio says he selected Le Cid as his senior project or practicum because he studied the 1637 French play in his “History of Drama” class. Pepio says, “I probably never would have been exposed to this play if our department didn’t place such an emphasis on classical theater, for which I have gained a real passion.” After choosing Le Cid to be his senior project, Pepio says he spent the summer of 2008 researching Corneille and the period of time the play was written, and reading different translations of the play. He ultimately chose a translation by Ranjit Bolt first produced in1994.

The Hofstra production was well received, particularly by Pepio’s professors who encouraged him to mount a New York City production. He says, “During January I contacted several theaters, and researched possible avenues to present this production, asking recently graduated friends in the post-Hofstra theater world for advice.” It was then that Pepio received an offer he couldn’t refuse from Kelly Feustel, Hofstra Class of 2008, to produce Le Cid through the Carousel Theatre Company where she is artistic director. Since then, Pepio, who is directing the Manhattan production, has been involved with advertising, publicizing and fundraising to cover the costs of the production. Pepio also started a Facebook group for the play.

In Pepio’s distinctive interpretation of Le Cid, audiences will be able to see the battles – usually offstage – unfold chronologically between scenes. Three artfully potent tableaus will serve as chapter headings emphasizing the ever-changing relationship between the lovers, Rodrigo and Ximena. A clever stage set up will force two sections of the audience to face one another, creating the illusion for audience members that not only are they part of the action but also that they must choose a side.

The cast of Hofstra students and alumni includes Matt LeClair as Rodrigo( Hofstra class of 2010), Chelsea Frati ’11 as Ximena, Louis Aquiler ’09 as Don Arias, Jeremy Benson ’09 as The Count, Lea Marie Heller ’09 as Elvira, Bethany McNamara ’10 as The Infanta, Keith Pinault ’11 as Don Fernando, Christian Titus ’12 as Don Sancho and Rich Traub ’11 as Don Diego. Among the crew are Pepio, fight choreographer Charles Rohlfs ’09 and stage manager Abigail Strange ’10.

The Gene Frankel Theater is located at 24 Bond Street in Manhattan. Show times are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.carouseltheatreco.com.

For more information on Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance visit www.hofstra.edu/Drama.

Related Link: "Le Cid" and The Carousel Theatre Company