Mandy Patinkin Talks COMPULSION with the Hartford Courant

Frank Rizzo of the The Hartford Courant recently sat down with Mandy Patinkin for a dinner-interview while the actor was between rehearsals for the world premiere of Rinne Groff's 'Compulsion' at Yale Repertory Theatre. During the interview, published in the Arts Section of Sunday's Hartford Courant and in Rizzo's blog, Patinkin discusses what drew him to tackle the role of Sid Silver, a writer who dedicates himself to bringing the writings of Anne Frank to the stage - a dedication which turns to an obsession.

The article in the Courant says that after his departure from the show 'Criminal Minds', Patinkin felt that he had been strayed from theatre for far too long; a sentiment he shared with New York's Public Theatre director Oskar Eustis. "I said to Oskar, 'So if you can help me get back if something comes along, I would be very grateful. I don't know what to ask for right now. I don't have a wish list." Patinkin, who grew up in a middle-class Jewish family, was sent the script for 'Compulsion' and immediately was drawn to it. "I could tell from page one that this was unusual," he says. "I finish this thing and I'm in shock. I can't believe how much it touches me. I call Oskar immediately and said something to the effect that, 'I don't think it's legal if you do this play without me," he says in the interview.

To read the rest of the story in the Courant, click here. 

In a follow-up post on his blog, Rizzo circles back to Patinkin's legendary theatrical career writing that during their dinner-interview, Patinkin talked about playing the role of Tevye in a summer camp during his teenage years. Upon asking Patinkin if he would ever reprise the role, the reply from the actor is, "I've been approached many times to do 'Fiddler,' he says. "But I have a certain way i want to do it and I'm not sure the estates [of the show's creators] would allow my vision. I understand that they're strict but I've got a great idea for it. Maybe one day I'll get to it."

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the world premiere of COMPULSION by Rinne Groff, directed by Oskar Eustis, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street, New Haven) January 29-February 28. Opening Night is Thursday, February 4. COMPULSION is a co-production with The Public Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theatre.??The cast of COMPULSION features Hannah Cabell, Mandy Patinkin, and Stephen Barker Turner. Emily DeCola, Liam Hurley, and Eric Wright are the puppeteers.

COMPULSION features sets by EuGene Lee, costumes by Lisa Loen, lighting by Marie Yokoyama, sound by Darron West, puppets by Matt Acheson, dramaturgy by Amy Boratko, vocal and dialect coaching by Thom Jones, and stage management by Jessica Barker.??Sid Silver (Mandy Patinkin) wants nothing more than to bring Anne Frank's story to an American audience, and he believes he's the right man to translate the young girl's diary and adapt it for the stage. But his passion spirals into a lifelong obsession when a New York publishing house reveals its own plans for what would become one of the most powerful and enduring documents of the 20th century.

Inspired by the story of Meyer Levin, Compulsion marks the Yale Rep debuts of Rinne Groff, whose plays have been praised for their "kaleidoscope style" (The Village Voice), and Oskar Eustis, the artistic director of The Public Theater.

Tickets for COMPULSION range from $35-82 and are available online at www.yalerep.org, by phone at (203) 432-1234, and in person at the Yale Rep Box Office (1120 Chapel Street, at York Street). Student, senior, and group rates are also available. In addition, all tickets for the Monday, February 1, performance are $10.

Mandy Patinkin won the Tony Award for his Broadway debut in Evita and was again nominated for Sunday in the Park with George and The Wild Party. He also appeared on Broadway in Trelawny of the ‘Wells,' The Shadow Box, The Secret Garden, Falsettos, and his solo concerts Dress Casual, Celebrating Sondheim, and Mamaloshen. For the New York Shakespeare Festival/The Public Theater, Mandy appeared in Leave It to Beaver Is Dead, The Knife, The Winter's Tale, Henry IV - Part I, Rebel Women, Hamlet, and Dress Casual. Other theatre credits include The Split, Savages, Enemy of the People, and most recently The Tempest at Classic Stage Company. Film appearances include The Choking Man, Pinero, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Lulu on the Bridge, Men with Guns, The Princess Bride, Yentl, The Music of Chance, Daniel, Ragtime, Impromptu, The Doctor, Alien Nation, Dick Tracy, The House on Carroll Street, True Colors, Maxie, and Squanto: Indian Warrior. Television series include Chicago Hope (Emmy Award), Showtime's Dead Like Me, and Criminal Minds. His solo albums include Mandy Patinkin, Mandy Patinkin Dress Casual, and on the Nonesuch label: Experiment, Oscar and Steve, Mamaloshen, Mandy Patinkin Sings Sondheim, and Kidults. Mandy continues to tour his concerts Dress Casual, Celebrating Sondheim, Mamaloshen, and An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.

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