Reg Rogers, most recently on Broadway as Joe in the Tony-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along, will play Berenger in Yale Repertory Theatre's upcoming production of Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros, running March 6–28 at the Connecticut venue.

Resident Director Liz Diamond will stage Frank Galati’s one-act adaptation of Derek Prouse’s translation of the Ionesco classic, with choreography by Emily Coates.

Joining Tony nominee Rogers (Holiday) on stage will be Will Dagger (Good Night, and Good Luck) as Dudard, Jeremy A. Fuentes as Waiter, Nicole Michelle Haskins as Mrs. Boeuf, Richard Ruiz Henry as Botard, Dorottya Ilosvai as Townsperson, Tony Manna as Papillon/Cafe Owner, Ameya Narkar as Townsperson, Elizabeth Stahlmann (Here There Are Blueberries) as Daisy, Phillip Taratula (The Skin of Our Teeth) as Gene, and Kimberly Vilbrun-François as Colette. Understudies include Tessa Albertson, Walker Borba, Gabriel Cali, Ashly Chalico, Rasan Kuvly, John Maria Gutierrez, and Sboniso Thombeni. Casting is by Calleri Jensen Davis.

The adaptation is set on a Sunday in a small French town as Berenger and his friend Gene enjoy a drink on a café terrace. Suddenly a rhinoceros charges across the square, crushing everything in its path. As neighbors and friends begin sprouting hides and horns, Berenger must make a choice: stand against, or join the rampaging herd.

In a statement, director Diamond says, “The play invites actors to play the stakes to the hilt, to inhabit the extremity of the situation—that’s what makes it both funny, and, in our time especially, frightening. Ionesco satirizes us for the way we scuttle crabwise to side with those who hold the power, offering lame excuses for our capitulation. But he also offers Berenger, who, apathetic at first, ultimately chooses to stand up for human autonomy, for freedom. Berenger, while unlikely single handedly to turn the tide of history, finds meaning in the attempt.”

The upcoming production will also have scenic design by Jennifer Yuqing Cao, costume design by Tricie Bergmann, lighting design by Donald Holder, sound design by Xi (Zoey) Lin, projection design by Ke Xu, and hair, wig, and makeup design by The Wig Associates.

Daria Kerschenbaum and Mia Van Deloo are the production dramaturgs, Lilliana Gonzalez is the technical director, Michael Rossmy is the fight and intimacy director, Grace Zandarski is the vocal and dialect coach, Jeremy A. Fuentes is the dance captain, and Caileigh Potter is the stage manager.

Rhinoceros is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

Click here for ticket information.