World Premiere Commission
by Kelly Younger
adapted from the novel by Peter Quinn
directed by Ciarán O’Reilly
October 13 – December 5, 2010
The Irish Repertory Theatre commissioned playwright Kelly Younger to write this bristling drama, adapted from Peter Quinn’s epic novel, set during the Civil War in New York City.
Against the backdrop of the dangerous, sweltering Civil War summer of 1863, the Bowery explodes with racial tension and the City of New York rushes headlong toward the fatal July draft riots. Moving to the music and rhythms of these dangerous times, a diverse band of characters is drawn together in a net of intrigue and violence.
Jack Mulcahy leading an Irish minstrel troupe, stars opposite his true love, a beautiful Mulatto girl who whites her face and crosses the ice as Eliza in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. On the blistering streets outside, corrupt Tammany Hall bosses plot to take advantage of the chaos to enrich themselves whilst destroying any hopes of escape to a place of freedom and peace for Jack and his little family. The famous songwriter, Stephen Foster, himself one of the Banished Children of Eve, wends his way through this entrancing drama as he produces the beautiful melodies which have given the country its lasting evocation of the times.
Banished Children of Eve received developmental support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional scenic design funding support is provided by The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund.
“Director Ciarán O’Reilly skillfully weaves the multiple narrative threads with specificity and clarity. Banished Children of Eve is uncannily resonant.” – Time Out New York
“The Irish Repertory Theatre is presenting one of its most ambitious works: it succeeds impressively. Kudos for mounting this superior production, which melds historical information with theatrical excitement, with a bit of music, song, and dance skillfully injected.” – Epoch Times
“IT’S AN ELECTRIFYING PIECE OF HISTORY THAT DIRECTOR CIARÁN O’REILLY AND HIS FINE ENSEMBLE BRING TO THE STAGE WITH FLAIR. The production’s opening moments sweep audiences back in time cinematically as company members begin shifting the arced walls and stair units that comprise Charlie Corcoran’s scenic design circularly around the stage, and characters ranging from a Fulton Street fishmonger to a busker hawking a minstrel show that boasts scenes from Uncle Tom’s Cabin enter. Their words spill onto one another and THE CACOPHONY BRINGS A CROWDED METROPOLIS OF A BYGONE ERA THRILLINGLY TO LIFE.” – Theatremania