Irish Rep Extends ST. NICHOLAS Thru 11/28

Off-Broadway's acclaimed Irish Repertory Theatre announces a one-week extension of its hit revival of Tony Award-nominated Irish playwright Conor McPherson's ST. NICHOLAS - a modern-day Gothic tale about a theatre critic, a beautiful actress, and a coven of vampires -- starring John Martello and directed by Alex Dmitriev, with performances now set to run through November 28 at Irish Repertory Theatre Company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street).

In ST. NICHOLAS, when a jaded and cynical Dublin Drama critic comes under the spell of a beautiful young actress and pursues her into a coven of vampires in modern-day London, storytelling at its spooky best comes to vivid life. Is it all a drunken lie? A tantalizing fairy tale? Or, is it the critic's version of a higher truth?

Intially scheduled to run through November 21, the revival extends to November 28 due to positive reviews and enthusiastic audience response. In his New York Post review, Frank Scheck wrote, "Martello projects a well-fed decadence in the role, bringing animated life to the story. He masterfully draws in the audience." In her review for the Associated Press, Jennifer Farrar wrote, "John Martello masterfully portrays a dissolute, jaded Irish theatre critic with self-deprecating charm and attempted regret, both tinged with irrepressible pomposity. Martello is completely engaging and a treat to watch." Ms. Farrar added, "Alex Dmitriev's direction enhances the wry, spellbinding tale." And on nytheatre.com, reviewer Nat Cassidy proclaimed, "I'm gonna cut to the chase: I enjoyed the hell out of Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Conor McPherson's one-man
play, ST. NICHOLAS, and I recommend you check it out. John Martello is an absolute delight in his portrayal of the theatre critic in question. It's his show alone and he carries it splendidly. His
performance is charming and light, without being weightless, and his natural joviality works well to contrast the heavier moments the plot gives him."

John Martello stars as the vitriolic critic of ST. NICHOLAS. He has been an actor, producer and director for over 35 years. As an actor, he has appeared in regional theaters and Off-Broadway in everything from Shakespeare to SUGAR BABIES. In 2009, he starred in Off-Broadway's THE LODGER at the New York Workshop Theatre. As Artistic Director of the Double Image Theatre, he produced, wrote and starred in the acclaimed one-man show Damon Runyon'S TALES OF BROADWAY. At the Double Image, Mr. Martello also produced the musical revue DAUGHERTY & FIELD OFF-BROADWAY, which ran for a year and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award. Along with veteran producer, Elliot Martin, he is currently producing Simon Gray's THE OLD MASTERS, which will star Sam Waterston and Brian Murray and is set to open at the Long Wharf Theater in January 2011, prior to a Broadway opening. Mr. Martello is the recipient of the Pirandello Medallion,
presented by the Pirandello Society of America to acknowledge his performing, producing and directing of Pirandello's work.

Director Alex Dmitriev helmed the premieres of Berilla Kerr's GERMAN GAMES and EVANGELINE AND GOD, as well as the mainstage production of Barton Bishop's GOD'S DAUGHTER and workshop of Bishop's GRADUATION DAY, at Off-Broadway's Abingdon Theatre Company. In New York, he has directed seven productions for the York Theatre Company, including the Drama Desk-nominated LOST IN THE STARS; Alan Ayckbourn's TAKING STEPS and HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES; THE MISANTHROPE: Jan Buttram's EAST TEXAS; HOME and STANDING BY. For the Musicals in Mufti series: Ervin Drake's HER FIRST ROMAN. Other New York credit includes LET US NOW PRAISE FAMOUS MEN (Village Theatre Company), MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION (Pearl Theatre) and BEDTIME STORY (Actors Studio. Regionally, he has worked at the Philadelphia Drama Guild, Virginia Stage Company, McCarter Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Cincinnati Playhouse, Merrimack Rep and Actors Lab-Arizona, among others. He was the Associate Artistic Director of Canada's prestigious Manitoba Theatre Centre; Artistic Director of The Toronto Center for the Arts and was the Resident Director at the North Carolina State Theatre for two seasons.

Born in Dublin in 1971, playwright Conor McPherson was co-founder of the Fly by Night Theatre Company, which performed new plays in Dublin's fringe venues. For ST. NICHOLAS, Mr. McPherson was awarded the Evening Standard Award for Outstanding New Playwright, the London Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, and the George Devine Award in 1997. He went on to win an Olivier Award for Best New Play in 1999 with his follow-up, THE WEIR. In 2006, he received a Tony Award nomination for SHINING CITY. An award-winning production of SHINING CITY was produced in 2009 in Los Angeles at The Fountain Theatre. In 2008, his play THE SEAFARER won the Tony Award for Best Play, Best Featured Actor (Jim Norton), and garnered Mr. McPherson a nomination for Best Director. The New York Times named Conor McPherson "the finest playwright of his generation." He also writes for film and co-wrote the screenplay for "The Eclipse," which marked his debut as a screen director it was released in the U.S. in March 2010 to critical
acclaim. "The Eclipse" was adapted by Conor from a ghost story by Billy Roche and stars Aidan Quinn and Ciaran Hinds.

ST. NICHOLAS was first produced at the Bush Theatre, London, on February 19, 1997. It was originally produced in the United States on March 17, 1998 by New York's Primary Stages Company, Casey Childs, Artistic Director.

ST. NICHOLAS features lighting design by Mary Jo Dondlinger. Production Stage Manager is Michael Palmer.

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS. The mission of the theatre was and remains to bring works by Irish and Irish American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences; to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish American experience; and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures.

Currently at Irish Repertory Theatre's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage is the world premiere of BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE - a play by Kelly Younger, adapted from Peter Quinn's bestselling novel about the Civil War in New York City - with performances set to run through December 5. Ciarán O'Reilly, who helmed last season's celebrated revival of THE EMPEROR JONES, directs.

ST. NICHOLAS now runs through November 28 at The Irish Repertory Theatre Company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues): Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm; plus 3pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. With the following
changes: no performance on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25; a 3pm matinee on Friday, November 26 has been added. General admission tickets are $30, and are available by calling 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.

For more information about Irish Rep, call 212-727-2737 or visit www.irishrep.org

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