Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker to Host Irish Rep's Gala Benefit YEATS: THE CELEBRATION

Irish Repertory Theatre presents YEATS: The Celebration, this season's Gala Benefit production, on Monday, June 8th at 7 PM at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street, NYC). This evening commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the birth of the Nobel Prize winning poet William Butler Yeats -- often referred to as "Ireland's national poet". This glittering night of poetry, music and song, hosted by Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, will feature performances by Gabriel Byrne, Terry Donnelly, Olympia Dukakis, Melissa Errico, Peter Gallagher, Colum McCann, Bridget Moynahan, Ciaran Sheehan, John Slattery, J Smith Cameron, and more to be announced. The evening will be directed by Charlotte Moore and will have musical direction by John Bell. Single tickets start at $100 and are on sale now online at www.IrishRep.org or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

William Butler Yeats was born on June 13 1865 in Co. Sligo. He was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years he served as an Irish Senator for two terms. Yeats was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and, along with Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn, and others, founded the Abbey Theatre, where he served as its chief during its early years. In 1923, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature as the first Irishman so honored for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." Yeats is generally considered one of the few writers who completed their greatest works after being awarded the Nobel Prize; such works include The Tower (1928) and The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1929). He died in France, on 28 January 1939.

Irish Repertory Theatre, now in its 27th season, was co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore. The Irish 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.

Irish Repertory's 2015 Gala Benefit performance of YEATS: The Celebration will be performed on Monday, June 8th, beginning at 7pm at the at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street). The performance will be followed by dinner at Sardi's (234 West 44th Street). Single tickets start at $100 and are on sale now online at www.IrishRep.org or by calling 1-800-982-2787. Premium seating packages start at $350. Call 212 255-0270 or email at events@irishrep.org for more information.