Photo Flash

Athol Fugard's Boesman and Lena Begins Rehearsals

Yaël Farber directs Signature Theatre’s production, set to begin performances February 5.

Jason Zednick
New York City Off-Broadway
Director Yaël Farber (second from right) begins rehearsals with the cast of Boesman and Lena, Thomas Silcott, Zainab Jah, and Sahr Ngaujah.
Director Yaël Farber (second from right) begins rehearsals with the cast of Boesman and Lena, Thomas Silcott, Zainab Jah, and Sahr Ngaujah.
(© Ahron R. Foster)

Rehearsals have begun for Signature Theatre's upcoming production of Boesman and Lena, written by Athol Fugard and directed by Yaël Farber. Performances begin February 5 ahead of a February 25 opening and will run through March 17 in the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

The company of Boesman and Lena enjoy their first day of rehearsals.
The company of Boesman and Lena enjoy their first day of rehearsals.
(© Ahron R. Foster)

The cast of Boesman and Lena includes Zainab Jah (Eclipsed) as Lena, Tony nominee Sahr Ngaujah (Fela!) as Boesman, and Thomas Silcott (Luke Cage) as Old African.

The creative team includes Susan Hilferty (scenic and costume design), Amith Chandrashaker (lighting design), Matt Hubbs (sound design), UnkleDave's Fight-House (fight direction), and Barbara Rubin (dialect coach).

Director Yaël Farber addresses the company of Boesman and Lena.
Director Yaël Farber addresses the company of Boesman and Lena.
(© Ahron R. Foster)

Boesman and Lena premiered in 1969 at the Rhodes University Little Theatre in Grahamstown, South Africa, with Fugard himself playing the part of Boesman. The play made its US premiere in 1970 at off-Broadway's Circle in the Square Downtown, followed by a 1992 revival by Manhattan Theatre Club. The story displays the effects of apartheid and the human need for kindness, hope, and compassion in the struggles of abusive Boesman and his long-suffering wife, Lena, who encounter a stranger while wandering the South African wastelands.