The Irish Repertory Theatre announces a one-week extension of its latest hit 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 performances now scheduled to run through December 6 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan. Ciaran O'Reilly directs.
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.
Originally scheduled through November 29, the revival extends to December 6 due to strong reviews and record-breaking ticket sales. In his enthusiastic New York Times review, Ben Brantley called the production "an inspired revival starring the wondrous John Douglas Thompson." He added, "The Emperor has been returned to glory! An ember of real magnificence has been uncovered and fanned, gently and artfully, into blazing flame. I can't think of another show (in what has been a mostly lackluster season that burns brighter." Terry Teachout, in the Wall Street Journal, proclaimed, "I doubt you'll ever see it done better." In The New York Post, Frank Scheck wrote that THE EMPEROR JONES is "one of O'Neill's most haunting, visceral works, and this nightmarish staging does it full justice! The evening's power is the central performance by John Douglas Thompson. Director Ciaran O'Reilly's production brilliantly depicts Jones' journey into the terrors of the jungle which seems to literally come to life thanks to the superbly designed puppets and masks." Time Out New York's Garrett Eisler called the production a "bold revival that executes O'Neill's vision to the hilt." And in the Associated Press, critic Jennifer Farrar, described the work as "spellbinding," adding "tightly directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, the production vividly creates the nightmare world of a man losing his grip on reality. The Emperor Jones is portrayed with vehement bravado."
John Douglas Thompson -- OBIE and Lucille Lortel Award-winning actor of last season's acclaimed revival of OTHELLO - stars as the enigmatic emperor, opposite Helen Hayes Award-winning actor Rick Foucheux as Smithers. The ensemble cast includes 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; puppet design by Bob Flanagan; and choreography by Brian McNabb.
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 credits include 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.
