Photo Flash: Irish Theatre Of Chicago Announces Second Extension of THE WEIR

Due to popular demand, Irish Theatre of Chicago is pleased to announce a second extension of its hit production of Conor McPherson's haunting and humorous Irish classic THE WEIR. ITC will add four additional performances, extending through Sunday, February 4, 2017. THE WEIR, which opened on December 15, 2016, is currently sold-out through Sunday January 29, 2017.

Added Performances:

Wednesday, February 1 at 8 pm

Thursday, February 2 at 8 pm

Friday, February 3 at 8 pm

Saturday, February 4 at 3 pm

Tickets for the extension, priced at $30, are currently available at www.irishtheatreofchicago.org. Student/seniors $5 off.

Directed by Siiri Scott, THE WEIR features ensemble members Brad Armacost*, Jeff Christian*, Dan Waller* and Sarah Wellington*, with guest artist Bradley Grant Smith.

The arrival of a single woman from Dublin upsets the balance at a tiny pub in rural Ireland. Pints in hand, the locals vie to impress her with tales of the supernatural - but what starts as stories of ghosts and fairies leads to revelations about love and loss, ultimately forging bonds of friendship and demonstrating the healing powers of community and kindness. McPherson wrote the hauntingly beautiful and humorous play The Weir at the age of 26, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Play, and the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright.

The production team for THE WEIR includes: Merje Veski* (scenic design), Aly Renee Amidei (costume design), Cat Wilson (lighting design), Joe Court (sound design) and Jen Bukovsky (stage manager).

*Denotes ensemble member of Irish Theatre of Chicago

About The Artists:

Conor McPherson (Playwright) is one of Ireland's premier contemporary playwrights, currently produced worldwide, in London's West End and on Broadway to both critical and audience acclaim. His other plays include The Veil (premiered at the Royal National Theatre October 2011, directed by the author), Shining City, The Seafarer, Port Authority, St. Nicholas, Dublin Carol and The Night Alive.

Siiri Scott (Director) most recently directed ITC's critically acclaimed production of the one-woman show My Brilliant Divorce last season, which garnered a Jeff Nomination for Best Solo Performance for the star of the show, ensemble member Barbara Figgins. Ms. Scott is the Head of Acting and Directing at the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Film, Television and Theatre, where she has taught acting, voice and movement and directed shows for the last 18 years. She currently focuses on preparing students for professional training. She worked with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival for six years, both as an actor (Queen in Cymbeline) and as their voice and dialect coach. Recently Siiri moved back to Chicago to continue her professional work and commutes back to Notre Dame to teach. A graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul, she has worked locally with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Lifeline Theatre and hosted the KidsWB Network for WCIU. Regional work includes a stint in Los Angeles where she appeared on City of Angels; Milwaukee, where she performed in The Kentucky Cycle and co-directed Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry; and Seattle, where she worked with Theatre Babylon, Book-it Repertory Theatre and Seattle Children's Theatre. In 2009 she joined Theatre Nohgaku, an international Noh theatre company, as a performing member.

Irish Theatre of Chicago (formerly Seanachaí Theatre Company) is supported in part by The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council and The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs: City Arts Program.

Photos by Emily Schwartz