Martha Clarke's Cheri, Based on Colette's Classic Novella, Opens Off-Broadway

Signature Theatre Center’s Cheri, based on the story of Colette's classic 1920 novella, officially opens off-Broadway December 8. Directed, conceived and choreographed by Martha Clarke, the show will play a limited engagement through December 22 at the Irene Diamond Stage.

The new production features a text by playwright Tina Howe and stars ballet dancers Herman Cornejo and Alessandra Ferri, Oscar nominee Amy Irving, along with pianist Sarah Rothenberg. The show uses dance, theater and live music to tell the tragic story of a six-year affair between Lea, an aging retired courtesan and Cheri, a pampered young man in Belle Epoque Paris.

The Cheri creative team includes scenic and costume designer David Zinn, lighting designer Christopher Akerlind, sound designers Arthur Solari and Samuel Crawford and music supervisor Sarah Rothenberg.