Baryshnikov stars in 'Beckett Shorts'

NEW YORK, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Famed Soviet-born dancer and choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov is starring in the off-Broadway staging of "Beckett Shorts."

JoAnne Akalaitis' production began previews this week at the New York Theatre Workshop.

The staging of four of Samuel Beckett's one-act plays -- "Act Without Words I," "Act Without Words II," "Eh Joe' and "Rough for Theatre I" -- is scheduled to open officially Dec. 18 and run until Jan. 20, Playbill.com said.

The new staging is a collaboration between director Akalaitis and composer Philip Glass, and stars Baryshnikov, Bill Camp, Karen Kandel and David Neumann.

"JoAnne Akalaitis and Philip Glass were two of the founding members of the inimitable theatre collective Mabou Mines, which was partly established in response to the founders' deep regard for the writing of Samuel Beckett," NYTW artistic director James Nicola said in a statement. "Audiences have long awaited the next Beckett production from Akalaitis and Glass, and their collaboration with dance luminary Mikhail Baryshnikov and internationally renowned sculptor Alexander Brodsky on 'Beckett Shorts' is a historic event that New York Theatre Workshop is proud and honored to be a part of."

Brodsky makes his debut as a set designer with "Beckett Shorts," Playbill.com said.