Matthew Broderick Set for Irish Rep's Re-Opening Celebration

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced the official re-opening of the new Irish Repertory Theatre, the New York home for Irish and Irish-American theatre.

There will be a special public celebration of the new space on Saturday, September 24th beginning at 12 PM EST. Matthew Broderick, who recently starred in Irish Rep's production of Shining City, will join local officials and Irish Government representatives in the ribbon-cutting ceremony slated to commence at 12:30PM.

"With this renovation, Irish Rep now has a space that best represents the cultural richness of Irish and Irish-American theatre. This event is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has been along with us on this journey," said Artistic Director Charlotte Moore. "Our doors are open to everyone whom would like to come and celebrate with us."

"The renovation of our theater is helping us embark on the next phase of our creative mission as an Irish theatre, particularly as we look ahead to our 30th anniversary next year. And we are thrilled to continue to play our role in the cultural vitality and diversity of Chelsea and New York," said Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly. "We would not be where we are today without the incredible support of the City of New York, our Board of Directors, and all of our generous funders and donors. We look forward to having everyone join us on Saturday to mark this momentous day."

The 22nd street block between 6th and 7th Ave, home to Irish Rep for the past 21 years, will be closed to accommodate the festivities from 12pm EST to 4pm EST. The programming will include pipers, poets, musicians, dancers, actors, magicians, face painters, and singers on three stages, both indoors and outdoors. Cultural partners Origin Theatre and the Irish Arts Center will also be part of the afternoon's events, bringing together New York City's Irish creative community.

All programming is free and open to the public.

On the Outdoor Stage, Master of Ceremonies Paul Keating will introduce a blend of musical styles, traditional, folk, and jazz. Among the artists performing are Aoife Scott, Andy Irvine, Donie Carroll, Mike Maloney, James Keane, Tony DeMarco, The Erin Loughrin Junior Ceili Band from The Irish Arts Center, jazz singer Caroline Toibin, Dan Gurney, Christina Dolphin, and Tony Award winner and step-dancer Trent Kowalik (Broadway's Billy Elliot).

The Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage will feature three separate programs throughout the afternoon:

· RAISING THE BAR: Four classic scenes from Irish Theatre set in a pub.

Plays include The Playboy of the Western World, The Plough and the Stars, The Weir, and The Field starring Billy Carter, James Russell, Rufus Collins, Peter Maloney, Kristin Griffith, Aideen Maloney, Patrick O'Kane, Rosemary Fine, and Declan Conlon.

· THE STRINGS THE THINGS: International concert violinist Gregory Harrington performs great musical moments from his classical and cinema score repertory accompanied by Matei Varga. Melissa Errico, will make a special appearance performing a medley of songs from the upcoming Irish Rep production of Finian's Rainbow.

· RAISING THE BARD: Members of the general public will be invited to come on stage to share their favorite poems, joining members of Irish Repertory Theatre.

The W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre will feature the following:

· GOLDEN MOMENTS FROM PAST SHOWS: Patrick Fitzgerald and Carolyn Seymour revisit their triumphant roles as Leopold and Molly Bloom in a segment from Mr. Fitzgerald's brilliant adaptation of James Joyce's Ulysses, Gibraltar. In addition, Fiona Walsh returns with a section from her sublimely funny riff on her teenage crush on Warren Beatty in her one woman show, Great American White Teeth a production of Origin Theatre.

· A TRICK OR TWO BY Peter Maloney: EXCERPTS FROM MY MAGIC LIFE!: Irish Rep company member Peter Maloney will share his magical powers and show how many tricks he has up his sleeve.

In addition, the Irish Repertory Gallery, located on the second floor of the theater, will exhibit images of the Irish Rep's journey from acquisition in 1994 through two major renovations with alluring artifacts and relics of past productions.

Currently playing at Irish Rep on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage is QUIETLY, by Owen McCafferty and directed by Jimmy Fay. QUIETLY stars Declan Conlon (An Enemy of the People, "The Tudors"), Patrick O'Kane (War Horse), and Robert Zawadzki (Dziady), and runs through Sunday, September 25.

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. For more information about Irish Repertory Theatre visit www.irishrep.org.