The celebrated cast of THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN transfers intact in bringing the production to New York and features Kerry Condon, Andrew Connolly, Laurence Kinlan, Dearbhla Molloy, Aaron Monaghan, Tony Award® winner Marie Mullen, Patricia O'Connell, David Pearse and John C. Vennema.
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 CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN begins previews Tuesday, December 9th, 2008; officially opens Sunday, December 21st, 2008; and plays a limited engagement through Sunday, February 1st, 2009 Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company at the Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street). Please note new opening night date.
Atlantic Artistic Director Neil Pepe said: "Atlantic has had a long and extraordinary collaboration with Martin McDonagh beginning with his American premiere in 1998. We are thrilled to be welcoming him back, along with the remarkable Garry Hynes and the Druid Theatre for this exciting revival."
Druid Artistic Director Garry Hynes remarked "I'm delighted to be embarking on this collaboration with Martin again following our very successful journey with The Leenane Trilogy. I am particularly proud to be working with such an excellent cast and creative team on this Irish-American co-production which will see us return to the Atlantic Theater Company where The Beauty Queen of Leenane had its U.S. premiere".
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 CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN is the second play in McDonagh's Aran Island's trilogy and is infused with his trademark humour, rich with macabre cruelty and teeming with eccentric island characters from Billy's "Aunt Kate," known for talking to stones, and gossip monger "Johnnypateenmike," who attempts to get his elderly mother to drink herself to death.
Martin McDonagh's other theater credits include The Leenane Trilogy and The Pillowman, which received six 2005 Tony Award® nominations, including Best Play. His film credits include the short film Six Shooter for which he won an Academy Award® in 2006, and most recently the film In Bruges starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes, which he also directed.
Garry Hynes returns to Atlantic, where she directed The Beauty Queen of Leenane, prior to its Broadway transfer. In 1998, she earned the distinction of becoming the first woman to receive a Tony Award® for direction. She is the recipient of a 2002The Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Award for Best Director, and a 2005 Special Tribute Award for her contribution to Irish Theatre.
