The Irish Repertory Theatre begins its 2009-2010 Off-Broadway season with THE EMPEROR JONES -- Eugene O'Neill's powerful classic about the charismatic Brutus Jones, a self proclaimed emperor of an island nation, who attempts to flee the angry natives and his personal demons -- with previews to begin October 7, prior to its official press opening October 18 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan.
John Douglas Thompson -- OBIE and Lucille Lortel Award-winning actor for last season's acclaimed revival of OTHELLO -- portrays the enigmatic emperor, opposite Helen Hayes Award-winning actor Rick Foucheux as Smithers. Ciaran O'Reilly, whose direction of O'Neill's THE HAIRY APE at The Irish Repertory a few seasons ago earned him Drama Desk, Drama League and Callaway award nominations, is set to direct.
THE EMPEROR JONES is the story of Brutus Jones, an African-American man who sets himself up as monarch of a Caribbean island after fleeing the United States following a prison break. The 1920 expressionistic drama is a compelling psychological portrayal of power, fear, and madness as it traces the life of the emperor as he tries to escape the island and the sins of his past.
Joining Mr. Thompson and Mr. Foucheux in the cast of THE EMPEROR JONES are Michael Akil Davis, Jon Deliz, Sameerah Harris, David Heron and Sinclair Mitchell.
The production includes set design by Charles Corcoran; costume design by Antonia Ford-Roberts; lighting design by Brian Nason; original music and sound design by Ryan Rumery and Christian Fredrickson; and puppet design by Bob Flanagan.
Last season, John Douglas Thompson thrilled Off-Broadway audiences with his performance as Othello (Theater for a New Audience), winning critical acclaim as well as an OBIE and Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. Mr. Thompson's Broadway credits include CYRANO DE BERGERAC with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner, and JULIUS CEASAR, opposite Denzel Washington. Other notable Off-Broadway and regional credits include THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW (Shakespeare & Company), WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN (Red Bull Theatre), HEDDA GABLER (New York Theatre Workshop), OROONOKO (Theatre for a New Audience), and Classical Theater of Harlem's KING LEAR, for which he received an AUDLECO nomination.
Rick Foucheux is best known for his regional work, particularly to theatergoers in Washington, D.C., where he has received two Helen Hayes Awards and ten nominations. His recent performances include Willy Loman in Arena Stage's production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Wolly Mammoth Theatre's DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE, the solo-play THE DIRECTOR: THE THIRD ACT OF Elia Kazan, and TWELFTH NIGHT, earlier this year at McCarter Theater Center.
Ciaran O'Reilly returns to O'Neill's work after having directed The Irish Rep's acclaimed revival of THE HAIRY APE (Drama Desk, Drama League, & Callaway nominations) in 2006. In past seasons, he has directed THE YEATS PROJECT; THE MASTER BUILDER; PRISONER OF THE CROWN; SIVE; DEFENDER OF THE FAITH; THE FIELD; PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! (Drama Desk nomination); and The Irish Rep original THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS.
Co-founded by Producing Director Ciaran O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS. The mission of the theatre was and remains to bring works by Irish and Irish-American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences; to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish American experience; and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures.
