Irish Repertory Theatre

Irish Drama.
New York Style.

2001-2002 Season

The Playboy of the Western World

playboy2by J.M. Synge
directed by Charlotte Moore

June 25 – August 18, 2002

J.M. Synge’s masterpiece follows the rise and fall of Christy Mahon, who earns the adoration of the locals when he recites a wild and scandalous tale of his father’s murder. As Christy rides the crest of his popularity, winning not only the games and races at the village fair, but the hand of the fiery redhead Pegeen Mike, the truth literally rears its ugly head as his father storms into the midst of the celebrations in a bloody rage and vows revenge. With it’s strong collection of extraordinary character and mystically beautiful language, The Playboy ranks among the finest Irish classic romantic comedies.

“Synge writes a beautiful, vibrant English, a rare treat in the modern theatre…Ms Moore has directed with onfidence. Her pacing is immaculate; the performances almost without exception bring out every ounce of Synge’s rare and lasting passion. The play may no longer incite riots, but it most certainly causes the audience to cheer.” -Curtain Up

Creative Team:
Set Design: David Raphel
Lighting Design: Kirk Bookman
Costume Design: David Toser
Sound: Murmod Inc.
Hair: Robert-Charles Vallance
Fight Director: Joseph Travers
Original Music: Larry Kirwan & Black 47
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Larson
ASM: Andrew Crawford

Pigtown

pigtownby Mike Finn
directed by Charlotte Moore

April 19- June 9, 2002

Twentieth century Limerick comes to life in the America premier of Pigtown, as pork butcher “Tommy Clocks” takes us on a fast-moving, hilarious, and often poignant journey through his hometown. Born on January 1, 1900, and literally speaking form his coffin as the century ends, Tommy has seen it all : ‘The Emergency” of World War II, his city’s notorious attitude toward the Jews, the heartbreak of couples parted by emigration. By turns funny, moving hard-hitting and inhabited with a rich variety of characters, music and song, Mike Finn’s proud and fearless celebration of the city of his birth is a must-see!

“transcends its time…[full of] noteworthy performances.” -New York Times

“lovely writing throughout,” -Curtain Up

Creative Team:
Set Design: James Morgan
Lighting Desing: Kirk Bookman
Costume Design: Robin L. McGee
Sound: Murmod Inc.
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Larson
Stage Manager: John Brophy

 

An Evening in New York
with W.B. Yeats and John Quinn

eveningyeatsIn the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre

adapted & directed by Neil Bradley & Paul Kerry

March 5- March 31, 2002

A dramatic recreation of the historic Algonquin Hotel meeting in 1920 of Ireland’s visionary poet and the renown American patron of the arts. Full of humanity and humor, the evening covers politics, literature, art and theater in a way that’s remarkably relevant to our contemporary world.

“the show cobbled together so adroitly by performers Bradley and Kerry should prove satisfying to anyone even remotely interested in Irish literature of the 20th Century.” -Irish Echo

The Matchmaker

matchmakerby John B. Keane
directed by Michael Scott

February 5 – March 31, 2002

Tony Award-winner Anna Manahan and Des Keogh bring this delightful satire to Irish Rep direct form sold-out enegaements in Ireland and the United Kingdon.

The Matchmaker follows the antics of Dicy Mick Dicky O’Connor who sets out to hitch the unmarriagable of Ireland to the unlikely.  Manahan and Keogh are “a perfect match” bringing life to the letters Dicky exchanges with the lovelorn townfolk in the comic tour-de-force by one of Irelan’s best-loved playwrights.

“A mischievous romp with two of Ireland’s top actors!” –The London Times

“An old-fashioned pleasure!” –The Sunday Times

That and The Cup of Tea: An Evening with Carmel Quinn

In the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre

by Carmel Quinn & Sean Fuller
directed by Richard Toth
arrangements by Jimmy Martin

November 14 – December 9, 2001

Carmel Quinn returns to Irish Rep in the moving and hilarious evening of songs and stories. The one-woman show tells of her early life in Dublin growing up as the daughter of a bookie and a classical violinist.

Carmel has been delighting audience for her days on Arthur Godfrey’s famed television series to stage roles in Finian’s Rainbow and The Sound of Music to her annual Carnegie Hall concert.

The Streets of New York

streetsby Dion Boucicault
adaptation, songs & direction by Charlotte Moore

November 5 – January 20, 2002

  • Drama League Nom., “Distinguished Production of a Musical” – The Streets of New York
  • Drama League Nom., “Best Actress in a Musical” – Kristin Maloney, The Streets of New York

 

From the Director: The physical geography of New York has changed in the past hundred and fifty years, of course; but the emotions- the pain of poverty and hungar, the heartbreak of lost love, the devotion of a mother, the lust for money and power- these feelings are as familiar today as they were in the time of our play and they spill headlong onto our street with every sunrise. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the area known as Five Points was dense with the desperately poor and rife with violence and raw emotion. A few short blocks away the Astors and Livingstones built great mansion and entertained royalty while barefoot orphans sold hot corn out of buckets on the filthy streets. The emotions engendered by these differences made for great melodrama and the prolific Dion Boucicault took full advantage. When I searched for songs to accompany his wonderful play, I could not find even one which seemed specific to any of his colorful characters. So I wrote one. The two. Then thirteen. When I played and sang them in my living room they seemed that they might be all right. When I heard them having been arranged by the wonderful Mark Hartman and sung by such beautiful voices I was glad that I had done it. Mr. Boucicault always encouraged anything that enhanced his plays, and even burned down a theater for dramatic effect. I wrote a few songs. I humbly hope he approves.

“Ms. Moore’s direction is intelligent, clever and sure. A solid, charmingly retrograde productions.” –The New York Times

“A breathless melodrama with sweetly swelling songs” –New York Post

“A gleaming musical theater jewel” –TheaterMania

“Good family entertainment that will keep you smiling all evening long!” –WOR Radio

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