Irish Rep's GIBRALTAR Begins Previews Today

The Irish Repertory Theatre continues its award-winning 25th Anniversary Season with the Off-Broadway premiere of GIBRALTAR-Patrick Fitzgerald's two-character adaptation of James Joyce's "Ulysses"-with previews set to begin June 5, prior to opening June 13 in the company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Terry Kinney directs.

Buried in the heart of James Joyce's complex book lies a simple love story, the story of Leopold and Molly Bloom.

Haunted by the death of a son and incapacitated by the havoc that loss has wrought on their relationship, Leopold and Molly Bloom are treading water. Leopold's solution-let Molly take a lover, then she'll appreciate him more. She'll tell him all about it, and they'll recover their lost language of love. He embarks on his Odyssey around Dublin, knowing full well that Molly is going to have an affair that afternoon. Can this gambit work? We wander far and wide with our unconquered hero until day turns to night and he returns home to the comfort of his bed and sleep. Then Molly awakens. And has the last word: "Yes...."

GIBRALTAR co-stars playwright and actor Patrick Fitzgerald, most recently seen at Irish Repertory Theatre in the title role of THE SHAUGHRAUN, and Cara Seymour, who starred earlier this season as Lily in Brian Friel's THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY.

The production features set and costume design by Sarah Bacon; lighting design by Paul Hudson; sound design by Alma Kelliher. Christine Lemme is Production Stage Manager.

Playwright Patrick Fitzgerald made his New York debut in Irish Repertory's first production and has appeared in numerous productions for the company since. Most recently, he played the title role in Dion Boucicault's THE SHAUGHRAUN, directed by Charlotte Moore. He won the Clarence Derwent Award for Hal Prince's GRANDCHILD OF KINGS. Other theatre credits include Mike Leigh's ECSTASY(Obie Award), THE SISTER ROSENWEIG (Lincoln Center and Broadway), MOJO (Atlantic) and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (Steppenwolf).

Cara Seymour co-starred in Brian Friel's THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY, directed by Ciarán O'Reilly, making her Irish Repertory debut. She co-founded Trouble and Strife Theatre Company, co-writing and acting in three original plays, including NOW AND THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. Other theatre credits include The New Group's production of Mike Leigh's ECSTASY and GOOSE PIMPLES; Public Theater's production of Caryl Churchill's THE SKRIKER; and Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER on Broadway.

Director Terry Kinney co-founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company with Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry, where his many directing credits include OF MICE AND MEN, FOOL FOR LOVE, STREAMERS, RECKLESS, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (2001 Tony Award, Best Revival) and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. He recently directed Douglas McGrath's CHECKERS at The Vineyard Theatre, where he directed Gina Gionfriddo's AFTER ASHLEY and Nicky Silver's BEAUTIFUL CHILD and THE AGONY & THE AGONY. Other directing credits include Neil LaBute's REASONS TO BE PRETTY (both off and on Broadway), EYES FOR CONSUELA (Manhattan Theatre Club) and FIFTH OF JULY (Bay Street Theatre and Williamstown Theatre Festival). After directing the short film "Kubuku Rides (This Is It)" for Steppenwolf Films, he directed his first full-length feature, "Diminished Capacity," with Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda (2008 Sundance Film Festival, distributed by IFC Films).

GIBRALTAR was read in 2012 as part of the Irish Repertory's Reading Series. The company's 2007 production of Stuart Carolan's DEFENDER OF THE FAITH and 2010 world premiere of Kelly Younger's BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE are also alumni of the Reading Series. GIBRALTAR made its Off-Off Broadway debut at Bowery Electric in 2010.

GIBRALTAR is being presented by Irish Repertory Theatre in association with Rose on the Rood Productions.

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors inSeptember 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. Ms. Moore and Mr. O'Reilly received the 2011 Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award from Irish American Writers & Artists, Inc. This year, an Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award was presented to Irish Repertory Theatre in recognition of 25 years of producing outstanding theatre.

Off-Broadway performances of GIBRALTAR run June 5-30 at The Irish Repertory Theatre Company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues): Wednesdays at 3pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $45, and are available by calling 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.

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