Brian Friel’s Aristocrats Opens Off-Broadway January 21
The production is the second in Irish Rep’s Friel Project, presenting three of the playwright’s plays set in the fictional Irish town of Ballybeg.
Raffi Barsoumian and Mary Wiseman
Carol Rosegg
Irish Repertory Theatre’s new production of Brian Friel’s Aristocats officially opens at the Off-Broadway company January 21 after beginning previews January 11. The run will continue through March 3.
The production is the second in the company’s Friel Project, which presents three of the playwright’s plays set in the fictional Irish town of Ballybeg. The series will conclude with Philadelphia, Here I Come!, beginning March 16.
Starring in Aristocats are Roger Dominic Casey (Bent) as Tom, Meg Hennessy (London Assurance) as Claire, Tom Holcomb (Meet Me in St. Louis) as Casimir, Colin Lane (Three Small Irish Masterpieces) as Uncle George and Father, Shane McNaughton (The 8th) as Willie Diver, Tim Ruddy (A Touch of the Poet) as Eamon, Danielle Ryan (The Cordelia Dream) as Judith, and Sarah Street (Belfast Girls) as Alice. Understudies Susan Davey and Ed Malone round out the company.
The work centers on Ballybeg Hall, the decaying home of District Justice O’Donnell. The family comes to congregate for a wedding, only to end up staying for a funeral. Irish Rep previously presented the work in 2009.
Irish Rep Artistic Director Charlotte Moore is helming the revival, which features scenic design by Charlie Corcoran, costume design by David Toser, lighting design by Michael Gottlieb, sound design and original music by Ryan Rumery and M. Florian Staab, and properties by Nicole Rozanski. Pamela Brusoski is production stage manager, and Rebecca C. Monroe is stage manager.
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