Twice Extended 'INISHMAAN' Celebrates 100th Performance 3/5

Atlantic Theater Company and Druid's celebrated production of Academy Award® winner and four-time Tony Award® nominee Martin McDonagh's dark comedy THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN will celebrate its 100th performance on Thursday, March 5th, 2009.

The smash hit play, which was extended twice after opening to unanimous critical acclaim, is playing its final weeks through Saturday evening, March 14th Off Broadway at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).

The limited engagement originally scheduled through February 1st began previews December 9th and opened on December 21st, 2008. It was initially extended through March 1, 2009.

Directed by Tony Award® winner Garry Hynes (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), the Irish and American cast features Kerry Condon (HBO's "Rome"), Andrew Connolly (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Laurence Kinlan, Tony Award® nominee Dearbhla Molloy (Dancing at Lughnasa), Aaron Monaghan (Abbey Theatre's Romeo & Juliet), Tony Award® winner Marie Mullen (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Patricia O'Connell (Waiting in the Wings), David Pearse and John C. Vennema (The Ride Down Mt. Morgan).

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 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 creative team for THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN features scenic and costume design by Francis O'Connor, lighting design by Davy Cunningham, sound design by John Leonard and original music composed by Colin Towns.

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN plays Tuesday through Friday at 8p, Saturday at 2p & 8p and Sundays at 2:00p and 7:00p. Please note: There will be an added matinee performance on Wednesday, March 11 at 2:00p.

ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY AT THE LINDA GROSS THEATER is located at 336 West 20th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets are $65.00 and available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 (ticketcentral.com).

Photo Credit: Amy Shaughnessy