Bookshelf Suggestions from Three of Yale Cabaret’s 2019–20 Leadership Team

America Ferrera and Tom Wisdom in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

May 18, 2020 Grad-Zoom-ation #A #OnlyIntermission #A Ask Anna #A Bookshelf #A No Day But Today #A At Your Streaming Service #A What We’re Cooking #A News and Updates #A Celebrate! #A Bonus Track #A

Yesterday, the Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre community gathered virtually to celebrate the Class of 2020—74 actors, directors, dramaturgs, designers, playwrights, stage managers, technical design and production managers, theater managers, and technical interns— with hundreds of their friends and family Zooming in from around the world.

This issue of The Prompter raises a glass to all who are graduating this spring: here at Yale and across Connecticut.

Created by playwright Paula Vogel (former Faculty) and director Rebecca Taichman (‘00), Indecent was co-commissioned by and had its world premiere at Yale Rep in 2015 ahead of its debut on Broadway in 2017. Indecent won the hearts of audiences and critics alike, as well as two Tony Awards, and became one of the most-produced plays across the country in recent years. At its heart, the play demonstrates the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of unfathomable obstacles. History tells us, in times of turmoil, art not only endures—it thrives. And so will we.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings like grocery stores and pharmacies, but why?

Anna Glover, Director of Theater Safety and Occupational Health, offers some suggestions to those who are facing an upcoming trip or move.

If you have to travel and you have a choice, choose your mode of transportation carefully. Driving is better than public transport for social distancing, but remember that you are at risk each time you stop. Pack food to take with you so that you only need to stop for gas and the restroom. Always wear a mask in public. Wash your hands well, and carry hand sanitizer in case soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.

Remember that you need to check what state and local travel restrictions are currently in place. Different states have stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon arrival, or even state border closures. Finally, do not travel if you are sick!

Suggested by: Zachry J. Bailey (’20) The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation by Thich Nhat Hanh

In a world of manufactured cynicism and tribulation, it’s often too easy to forgo joy and happiness; however, the reality is that joy is abundantly available in the present moment. You have to be willing to see it and welcome it. Now more than ever we have an opportunity to reflect on who we are in this world, how we occupy space and Suggested by: Jaime F. Totti (’20, SOM ’20) The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

how resilient we want to be. Hanh doesn’t encourage people to become Buddhists or adopt a new religion, but instead shares how he learned to transform suffering into joy through mindfulness.

This is a guide for anyone who wants to host any sort of gathering— from a gala to a conference, a business meeting or a dinner party. She focuses on the reasons why we gather, and reminds us

that if we’re bringing people together, the intention behind that gathering is the most important element, and should guide all of the choices we make as we plan the event. It’s been a major touchstone of my work as the manager of the Cabaret, as we wanted our space to feel like a home for everyone who joined us there this year.

Suggested by: Brandon E. Burton (’20) The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

If you like Game of Thrones, Haruki Murakami, or Star Trek, this is a speculative science fiction book and the first part of a trilogy. The story is distinctly Chinese, using the Cultural Revolution as a backdrop as well as Chinese politics of isolationism coming into play. The novel asks what it would take for multiple generations of the world’s nations to unite against a single force. It’s a thought-provoking meditation on humanity as the scope of time zooms out that will definitely put your day-to-day problems into perspective.

#ICYMI: James Bundy thanks the Cab 52 team for their tremendous work, and introduces the artists and managers who will take the reigns of Cab 53!

Above, clockwise from top: America Ferrera and Tom Wisdom in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2; Shia LeBeouf and Harrison Ford ride through Old Campus in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; Julia Roberts and Dominic West at Yale University Art Gallery in Mona Lisa Smile.

Yale On Screen Yale has played a part in countless movies and television shows (we see you, Gilmore Girls!), but few have been given permission to film on campus. Here are a few. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (yup, that is our beloved University Theatre), available to rent; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, streaming on Netflix; Mona Lisa Smile - available to rent.

#ExtraCredit: Markie Gray (‘20), Associate Director of Marketing, has impeccable taste. One of her favorite movies last year was the criminally overlooked Booksmart, in which Beanie Feldstein’s character gets into…YALE! Streaming on Hulu.

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School was among the New Haven public schools who planned to bring their students to the morning matinee performances of A Raisin in the Sun in April as part of Yale Rep’s annual WILL POWER! education program.

Some of those students had also been in final rehearsals for the Co-Op production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent, prior to the state’s stay-at-home orders. Here’s a look at some of the spectacular performances they didn’t get to share with an audience—until now!

Special shout out to graduating seniors Tomas Echeverria as Tom Collins, Ruth Green as Joanne, and Jose Resto as Roger.

Let’s All Drink to Them! Ellen Lange, Senior Administrative Assistant to the Acting Department, and party host extraordinaire, offers some celebratory cocktail recipes(with and without alcohol) as well as some savory nibbles.

The Spring Spritz Fill a wine glass with ice. Add 2 oz. Aperol, 2 oz. sparkling wine, and 1 oz. grapefruit juice. Top off with a splash of soda water and garnish with 1/2 slice of grapefruit and a sprig of mint!

Got a pitcher?: a bottle of bubbles, 1 1/2 C juice, 1C sparking water; grapefruit and mint for garnish.

Day Drinking?: Fill a nice glass with ice. Add 3oz each ruby red grapefruit juice and ginger beer (not ginger ale), stir gently. Garnish with grapefruit and mint for extra Zoom points.

Adapted from Epicurious.com, April 2016.

Cheese Crackers 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened 14 oz sharp cheddar, grated 2 oz grated parmesan 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/8 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp cayenne (start with this, add more if you like!) 1 tsp salt (omit salt if using salted butter) 1/2 tp. black pepper 2 cups all-purpose flour 2–4 tbs cold water (you may not use all the water)

Beat together softened butter and cheese with an electric mixer, scraping sides of the bowl several times, until combined. Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper; mix thoroughly.

Add the flour 1/4 cup at a time at slow speed. When the mix is crumbly, add water by tablespoon and continue mixing until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350º and divide dough into three balls.

Roll one ball on a lightly floured surface until it is 1/8 inch thick.

Cut the dough into squares or use a small cookie cutter. Place the crackers close together on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue to roll and cut the, or rewrap and freeze.

Bake crackers for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove pans from oven and allow crackers to cool to room temperature before serving.

Store the crackers in an airtight container for 6-10 days.

Roasted Nuts Whip 2 egg whites until frothy, then mix in 4 cups of untoasted whole mixed nuts of your choice. With a slotted spoon, transfer nuts to another bowl (or drain in a colander), then stir in ¼C of honey; 1T sea salt; 1t ground cumin; 1/2t each cinnamon, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper; 1/4 t turmeric powder and ground ginger; and 1/8t ground cloves. Spread nuts on a parchmentcovered baking sheet and roast at 250º for at least 45 minutes, turning nuts a couple of times, until golden brown. Bake another 5-10 minutes for toastier nuts. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired, and allow to cool at least 10 minutes for maximum crunch.

Adapted from a recipe by Jenni of Whip&Wander.com.

Doctor, Doctor Yale University President Peter Salovey conferred honorary Doctoral degrees to Ming Cho Lee, former Chair of Design, and Paula Vogel, former Chair of Playwriting.

“Ming Cho Lee, you have set the world on stage, and your influence circles the globe. Your classroom is legendary: with insight and humility, you inspired thousands of Yale students to create new vistas of art and meaning,” said Salovey while conferring a Doctorate of Fine Arts to Ming Cho Lee, The Donald M. Oenslager Professor in the Practice Emeritus.

As he conferred a Doctorate of Letters to Paula Vogel, Salovey said, “While waltzing or driving, dying or loving, your characters connect with audiences and bring urgent issues out of the shadows. A devoted teacher, you foster the future of theater, helping young playwrights find their voices and refine their craft.”

Enjoy Yale’s Class Week and Commencement activities virtually at Yale2020.yale.edu!

Download and print a Yale School of Drama 2020 Pennant to wave!

Search for #ysd2020 in Instagram and Facebook to add some celebratory flair to your photos!

School of Drama Students Inspire New Voices in Theater, Co-founded by Madeline Charne (’20), the playwriting program inspired 26 high school students to write plays this year. Based on the 1934 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the musical Merrily We Roll Along, with book by George Furth and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, played 44 previews and just 16 regular performances on Broadway in 1981. Reviewing the show for The New York Times, Frank Rich wrote, “Mr. Sondheim has given this evening a half-dozen songs that are crushing and beautiful— that soar and linger and hurt. But the show that contains them is a shambles.” Theater people love an underdog, which may be why this

this heartbreaker of a musical has had countless productions since then here in the U.S. and abroad. Here’s Colin Donnell, Lin-Manual Miranda, and Celia Keenan-Bolger delivering the final number in a 2012 concert version produced by City Center Encores! What a time to be alive.

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Special Thanks Ellen Lange, Jaime Totti, Brandon E. Burton, Zachry Baily

To offer feedback on this issue, or to make editorial, book, streaming movie/television, music, or recipe suggestions for future issues, please send an email to yalerep@yale.edu.

yalerep.org drama.yale.edu yalerep@yale.edu