Goat Island presents La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler, translated by Carl R. Mueller
February 9 - March 4,
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
At Studio 210

Decadence, desperation, despair and lust in turn-of-the-century Vienna in Goat Island's production of Carl R. Mueller's new translation of Arthur Schnitzler's most infamous work.

Written between 1897-98, La Ronde was considered by its author to be too scandalous for publication. It was a word-of-mouth sensation based on a limited edition of 200 copies Schnitzler printed for friends in 1900. The 1903 trade edition was attacked as subversive and obscene, and the press refused to review it. The police curtailed a public reading in Vienna. The publication was confiscated and banned for nearly 20 years in Germany; the ban was only lifted following a court trial. An unauthorized production in Budapest was banned in 1912. The play's official premiere in Vienna in 1921 was accompanied by further protests and proto-Nazi reviews claiming the play was "Jewish filth."

The best-known version of this work, originally titled Reigen, is Max Ophuls 1950 film La Ronde. Arthur Schnitzler's Traumnovelle inspired Stanley Kubrick's 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut, and La Ronde inspired David Hare's 1998 play The Blue Room.

Goat Island's production of La Ronde will be performed in Studio 210, a 49-seat black-box theater in the old Sears building on Cesar Chavez. Studio 210 has been used mostly for dance. In reaction to the recent closure of other theater spaces in San Francisco, Artistic Director Deborah Slater has made the space available for theater. This will be the first full-scale theater piece performed in this space.

Goat Island is a new ensemble of experienced performers, designers, and production staff committed to creating theater that challenges, stimulates and nurtures both the ensemble and the audience it serves. La Ronde is Goat Island's first production.

Studio 210 is located in the old Sears building, 3435 Cesar Chavez at Valencia. La Ronde runs FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS at 8pm, SUNDAYS at 2pm, FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 4. Ticket prices are $14 Fridays and Saturdays; $10 Sundays; $20 opening night. Tickets can be purchased at the door half an hour before show times. For advance reservations, please call the Goat Island at: 415/641-4963, ext. 2, or visit us online at http://www.goatisland.org. Studio 210 is wheelchair accessible.