Internationally acclaimed theater ensemble Mabou Mines celebrates 40 years of creating groundbreaking theater with the world premiere of "FINN", a digital and live-action adventure based on the ancient Celtic legend of Finn McCool opening on Thursday, March 4th (8PM) at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Conceived & directed by Mabou Mines Co-Artistic Director Sharon Fogarty, and written by Jocelyn Clarke, this original theatrical work blends traditional storytelling and music with large-scale digital technology. Finn McCool, part mortal, part magical, battles his boyhood demons and emerges a young man ready to lead his band of men. Live performers interact with digital animation in a 21st century adaptation of a timeless legend. FINN is produced by Mabou Mines in association with Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University.
In keeping with the Mabou Mines tradition of adapting classics such as Peter & Wendy, Mabou Mines Dollhouse, and Gospel at Colonus, FINN offers a sophisticated and engaging interpretation of the Celtic legend of Finn McCool re-imagined for a new generation of theatergoers. FINN follows a boy's coming of age quest to avenge his father's death and seize leadership of the clan. Through his journey, he encounters a series of trials testing his moral fortitude. By employing digital animation for a technologically savvy audience, FINN explores the nature of violence in the minds of boys. Large-scale digital imagery transports the audience from forest to a battlefield as our hero learns the lessons of leadership. The FINN legends are among the oldest in Western culture and as with ancient mythological cycles, these enduring tales remain vibrant and relevant today.
Director Sharon Fogarty, Irish writer Jocelyn Clarke, Czech digital artist Misha Zabranska and Misha Votruba (Misha Films), and traditional Scottish composer Phil Cunningham with Irish composer Manus Lunny construct an environment in which live actors co-exist and interact with animated characters and settings creating an epic fantasy adventure.
Robbie Collier Sublett will play the title role joined by storyteller cast members Jarlath Conroy, Carlton Byrd and Dion Mucciacito. The production will also feature a set by Milan David, costumes by Meganne George, lighting by Mary Louise Geiger and sound by John Plenge.
Mabou Mines is a collaborative theater ensemble founded in 1970, based in New York City. The current Co-Artistic Directors are Julie Archer, Lee Breuer, Sharon Fogarty, Ruth Maleczech, Fred Neumann & Terry O'Reilly along with Artistic Associates Honora Fergusson Neumann, Karen Kandel, Clove Galilee and David Neumann. The company has created more than 60 original works and adaptations of classics and is widely regarded as among the most influential and respected American experimental theatre ensembles. Mabou Mines' work has been presented throughout the United States, North and South America, Europe, Asia & Australia. The company has received over 100 awards & citations, including a Village Voice OBIE for Sustained Achievement, the 2007 Edwin Booth Award as well as two 2009 Drama League nominations.
FINN runs Thursday - Friday March 4 & 5th at 8PM; Saturday, March 6th at 2 & 8PM; and Sunday, March 7th at 2PM. NYU Skirball Center is conveniently located at 566 LaGuardia Place near the corner of Washington Square South. BY SUBWAY A, B, C, D, E, F, V to West 4th Street From West 4th Street Station, walk four blocks east on West 4th Street to LaGuardia Place. Tickets are $30-$55 and may be purchased online at www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/calendar/finn, by calling 212.352.3101, or by visiting the Skirball Center box office in person. The box office is located in the Skirball Center lobby at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South) and open Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-6pm.
SHARON FOGARTY, (conceiver/director) has been a Co-Artistic Director of Mabou Mines since 1999. Sharon wrote and directed Cara Lucia, a music theater piece, inspired by the life of James Joyce′s daughter featuring Ruth Maleczech in the title role, music by Carter Burwell and designed by Jim Clayburgh. Developed at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Common Ground Festival at UCLA and at The Tyrone Guthrie Center in Ireland, the production premiered at HERE Arts Center in New York City and was nominated for five American Theater Wing Design Awards. A touring version of the production, Lucia's Chapters, traveled to The Kilkenny Festival in Ireland as well as venues in California and New England. The production was nominated for Boston's Elliot Norton Theater award for Outstanding Visiting Production. Previously, Sharon served as Artistic Director of New York City-Based Daedalus Theater Company and directed many of the company's productions including Sebastian Barry's White Woman's Street and Brighde Mullins' Fire Eater. Sharon has produced many of the company's work in the last decade including such award-winning productions as An Epidog, Ecco Porco, Mabou Mines DollHouse, Red Beads, Belén - A Book of Hours and Song for New York. Sharon holds an MA from University College Dublin's Drama Centre.
