John Keating, Laoisa Sexton and More to Star in THE PIGEON IN THE TAJ MAHAL at Irish Rep; Cast Complete!

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced complete casting for the world premiere of THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal, by Laoisa Sexton. Directed by Alan Cox (Black Snow), THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal begins performances on November 16, 2016 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre and officially opens on November 27, running through December 31, 2016.

THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal is a dark comedy about trying to get home. In the West of Ireland, a lonely outsider is forced to live on an abandoned campsite on the barren outskirts of a seaside town. But late one night, when a lost bachelorette party discover his caravan, he finds his whole existence challenged and his home life threatened. During this long night of reckoning, amongst the glitter and the grime, a battle for survival ensues, but in these few hours can tender love save us all? Worlds collide in this darkly funny pressure cooker of a play about how we live now.

The World Premiere of THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal will star John Keating ("Boardwalk Empire"), Laoisa Sexton (For Love), Johnny Hopkins (HBO'S "The Leftovers"), and Zoë Watkins (When I Was a Girl I used to Scream and Shout).

THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal features scenic design by Charlie Corcoran (Bad Jews), lighting design by Michael O'Connor (A Celebration of Harold Pinter), costume design by Martha Hally (Women Without Men), sound design and original music by Ryan Rumery (Shining City), and props by Sven Nelson (Indecent).

Tickets to THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal are priced at $50.00, are general admission, and are on sale now through Irish Rep's box office by calling 212-727-2737, or online at www.irishrep.org.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Laoisa Sexton (Playwright; Friday/Lolly) is an actress and playwright from Ireland. Her debut play, For Love, premiered at The Irish Repertory Theatre and was a New York Times Critics' Pick. The play went on to tour six theaters across Ireland and was critically acclaimed. The UK Times wrote: "The production comes with a purpose, certainly, but it doesn't sacrifice drama. Moreover, it represents a change of pace for the stage. It might reflect a form of female emancipation, but it is pro-active in the liberation of theatre." Her second play, the semi-autobiographical The Last Days of Cleopatra, based around the events of her mother's death, premiered in New York in 2014 and was also a New York Times Critics' Pick. The play was recently produced in Canada and won two awards at the Milwaukee Irish Play Festival. It's set to receive it's Irish/European premiere in Dublin in the new year. She is working on getting her fourth play produced: Ave Maria, Blessed Art thou Amongst Women. As an actress, Laoisa has appeared in theatre, film and TV in the US, UK and Ireland. Some highlights include Oh The Power, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Long Day's Journey into Night, directed by Joe Dowling. Laoisa won the Best Actress Award for her role in The Prophet of Monto, directed by Des Kennedy (Harry Potter). She recently appeared in the TV series "Red Rock" for TV3/ BBC UK.

John Keating (Eddie the Pigeon). John's delighted to be performing at Irish Rep for the 16th time (recently - The Weir, Da, Juno and the Paycock, Aristocrats). His extensive New York credits include 5 shows with Theatre For A New Audience (most recently Sir Trevor Nunn's production of Pericles - also Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure, Broken Heart), the just completed production of Public Enemy at The Pearl Theatre. Also, Atlantic (The New York Idea) Mint (Is Life Worth Living, John Ferguson), Roundabout (Juno and the Paycock), Irish Arts (the site specific Ladies and Gents, 4 other shows). Most leading regional theatres, including McCarter, A.C.T, Old Globe, Hartford Stage, Wilma (Barrymore nom. -Best Actor), etc. TELEVISION: "Boardwalk Empire," "John Adams," "The Following," "Nurse Jackie," "Law & Order: SVU," "Alpha House," "High Maintenance," "Lipstick Jungle," the web series "On The Lig." FILM: The Lone Ranger, Emerald City (2017 release), Freedom. 140 Audiobook narrations - (Audie winner).

JOHNNY HOPKINS (Josie) is a New York based actor. Off Broadway credits include Rock Doves at the Irish Arts Center by Marie Jones; The Cripple of Inishmaan, directed by Garry Hynes at the Atlantic Theatre. His film and TV credits include Kickass, No Beast So Fierce, Sidewalk Traffic, "The Leftovers," "Public Morals," "The Mysteries of Laura," "On the Lig," "Person of Interest," "Unforgettable," and "Law and Order: SVU." Johnny is delighted to be making his debut with the Irish Repertory Theatre.

ZOË WATKINS (Crystal Chandelier/Aunty Rosie). Zoë Watkins is very excited to be making her Irish Rep debut! Off Broadway: Vari in When I was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout, Fallen Angel Theatre Co (NY Times Critics Pick). Recent credits include: Ada Barber in The Report; Margery in "Outside Dog" - Talking Heads; Artemis in Rocking Dead; Thea in Agamemnon Home (Phoenix Theatre Ensemble); Margaret in Good People; Grumio in Taming of the Shrew (Queens Players); Nurse Ratchett in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Mrs. Lynch in Coram Boy. Film and TV credits include: "Louie," (Pig Newton/ FX); recurring as Nadi in "Wall Street English," (EUX media); & in "Got Skillz" as the lead character George, (Cutting Hedge Productions). www.zoe-watkins.com

Alan Cox (Director) Alan Cox trained at LAMDA. On leaving drama school he spent several years as an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and the Chichester Festival Theatre. In the US he has toured in The Caretaker, Frost/Nixon, and appeared on Broadway in Translations (MTC). For Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 he has appeared in City Stories, Playing With Grown Ups and Cornelius. Other recent acting work includes: Opening Skinner's Box (Improbable), The Divided Laing (Arcola), Kingmaker (Arts Theatre), The Seagull (Culture Project, NYC), The Tempest (Jericho House), Behind the Eye (Cincinnati Playhouse), and Passion Play (Goodman). Film and TV work includes: The Dictator, Contagion, August, The Auteur Theory, Mrs. Dalloway, An Awfully Big Adventure, Young Sherlock Holmes, "A Voyage Around My Father," "The Odyssey," "Midsomer Murders," "Not Only But Always," "Housewife 49," "Custer's Last Battle," "John Adams," "Margaret," "Lucan," and "The Good Wife." Directing credits include: Black Snow (Moscow Arts Studio), A Cloud in Trousers (Udderbelly), Flanders Mare (Sound Theatre), Dirty Fan Male (Gilded Balloon), The Riot Act (Gate Theatre) and A&R (Theatre 503).

IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE, co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars.The Irish Rep is currently the only year-round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage. Recognized with the Jujamcyn Theatres Award, a special Drama Desk Award for "Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama," an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement, and the Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Body of Work," the Irish Rep has celebrated the very best in Irish theatre for over twenty-five years, from the masters to the new generation of Irish and Irish American writers who are transforming the stage. Nearly 38,000 audience members annually attend productions at our theatre located in the heart of New York's Off Broadway community. Once here, they witness the Irish Rep's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.

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