Atlantic Theater Company and Druid are proud to announce a second extension of Martin McDonagh's hit dark comedy THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, which will now play through Sunday, March 15th, 2009 Off Broadway at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).
The limited engagement originally scheduled through February 1, 2009, began previews on December 9 before opening to unanimous critical acclaim on Sunday, December 21, 2008. It was first extended four weeks through March 1, 2009.
Directed by Tony Award® winner Garry Hynes (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), the celebrated Irish and American cast features Kerry Condon (HBO's "Rome"), Andrew Connolly (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Laurence Kinlan, Tony Award® nominee Dearbhla Molloy (Dancing at Lughnasa), Aaron Monaghan (Abbey Theatre's Romeo & Juliet), Tony Award® winner Marie Mullen (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Patricia O'Connell (Waiting in the Wings), David Pearse and John C. Vennema (The Ride Down Mt. Morgan).
Set in 1934 on an island off the west coast of Ireland, Hollywood filmmaker Robert Flaherty arrives on the neighboring island of Inishmore to film his movie The Man of Aran and excitement ripples through the sleepy community of Inishmaan. For orphaned Billy Claven, who has been relentlessly scorned by the island's inhabitants, the film represents an escape from the poverty of his existence. He vies for a part in the film, and to everyone's surprise, it is the cripple who gets his chance.
THE CRITICS HAVE SAID:
"A first rate production. A subversive charmer that shows off McDonagh's skills as an expectation-thwarting master of knotted yarns. It's hard to imagine an interpretation that makes this plays singular melding of sentimentality and savagery feel more organic than this one."
- Ben Brantley, New York Times
"A darkly hilarious and surprisingly moving comedy. McDonagh celebrates and slyly spoofs a full parade of Irish stereotypes, but with a great deal of heart. In honoring them, he has created a unique theatrical offering all his own." - Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
"Real characters, fluid dialogue, humor, suspense and humanity. Add to that a superlative production featuring a bravura cast and you've got a fine Irish whiskey of a show with the smoothest kick this side of the Atlantic." - Roma Torre, NY-1 News
"A real gem. A brutal and satisfying fable about the lies people tell, truths they hide, and the capacity for desire and disappointment." - Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN revives the unique relationship between Atlantic Theater Company, Academy Award® winner Martin McDonagh, Tony Award® winning director Garry Hynes and the acclaimed Druid ensemble.
This production marks the third collaboration between Atlantic and McDonagh following the company's critically acclaimed American premiere production of The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, which transferred to Broadway and received five 2006 Tony Award® nominations, including Best Play. Atlantic and Druid previously collaborated on the world premiere of McDonagh's hit play The Beauty Queen of Leenane, which transferred to Broadway and won four 1998 Tony Awards®.
The creative team for THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN features scenic and costume design by Francis O'Connor, lighting design by Davy Cunningham, sound design by John Leonard and original music composed by Colin Towns.
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN plays Tuesday through Friday at 8p, Saturday at 2p & 8p and Sundays at 2:00p and 7:00p. Please note: There will be an added matinee performance on Wednesday, March 11 at 2:00p. There will be no evening performance on Sunday, March 15.
