Abbey Theatre arrives in NYC on Oct. 26

New York University's Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (L. Jay Oliva, Executive Producer, Wiley Hausam, Executive Director) proudly presents a limited 7-performance NY engagement of The Abbey Theatre of Dublin, Ireland's production of The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge, directed by Ben Barnes (October 26-31). This year, as part of the abbeyonehundred centenary celebrations, the 865-seat theater on Washington Square Park marks its second season as Manhattan's newest performance space with this timeless Irish theater classic.

"We are truly excited that the renowned Abbey Theatre and its signature piece, Synge's The Playboy of the Western World, will grace the Skirball Center," said L. Jay Oliva, executive producer. "The Abbey's presentation of this piece in 1911 New York changed American theater forever, and now this production, nearly 100 years later, will be yet another historical moment. Oliva continued, "The Abbey players bring not only their talent and power to performances, but to our planed master classes, and talk-back sessions for a new generation of audiences, and traditional theatergoers. The Abbey's run at the Skirball Center validates the important impact the Center is already having on the performing arts scene in New York City."

Probably one of the most controversial productions to grace the Abbey stage, J.M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World still possesses the power to provoke and captivate audiences worldwide. Its story of a stranger who seduces the inhabitants of a small village on the coast of Mayo with his 'gallous' tale of killing his father, provoked riots among the audience during its first staging in 1907, causing national outrage and sensation.

Throughout its 100-year history as Ireland's National Theatre, The Abbey Theatre has performed The Playboy of the Western World a story of Irish peasant life, both at home and abroad to extraordinary critical and popular acclaim.

This abbeyonehundred production of The Playboy of the Western World promises to celebrate and commemorate one of the classics of Irish theatre on a national and international scale.

Prior to the NYU Skirball Center engagement, the U.S. tour performs at venues in New Haven, Philadelphia, and Stamford, followed by Boston and Chicago.(*See attached US tour schedule)

http://www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/