NY Public Library to Tape Irish Rep CANDIDA For Archives

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) is to tape the Irish Repertory Theatre's hit revival of George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA on April 21. As previously announced, the acclaimed production, which recently received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Revival, has been extended until Sunday, April 25 at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan. Tony and Oscar Award-winner Tony Walton directs.

CANDIDA is the 17th Irish Repertory Theatre production to be taped for the library's prestigious archives. The company's other productions in the collection include THE EMPEROR JONES, ARISTOCRATS, THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE, TAKE ME ALONG, THE HAIRY APE, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, THE FIELD, AFTER THE BALL, SAVE IT FOR THE STAGE: THE LIFE OF REILLY, THE STREETS OF NEW YORK, A LIFE, OUR LADY OF SLIGO, THE SHAUGHRAUN, DEAR LIAR, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and MOTHER OF ALL BEHANS.

CANDIDA tells the story of Reverend James Morell (Ciaran O'Reilly) and how his comfortable marriage to Candida (Melissa Errico) is shaken by the arrival of the young poet, Marchbanks (Sam Underwood). Both men adore her, in quite different ways and for quite different reasons, and she is attracted to them for their very different qualities. Marchbanks believes Candida has a choice. Morell is devastated by the idea of losing her. They both forget she is her own woman.

Melissa Errico stars in the title role, while Brian Murray portrays Candida's father, Mr. Burgess. The cast also includes Xanthe Elbrick as the clergyman's secretary Prossy; Josh Grisetti as the Reverend's curate Lexy; Ciaran O'Reilly as Reverend James Morell; and Sam Underwood as Eugene Marchbanks, the romantic suitor of Candida.

CANDIDA features set and costume design by Tony Walton, lighting design by Richard Pilbrow, sound design by Zach Williamson and Jana Hoglund, and hair design by Robert Charles Vallance. The stage manager is April Kline. The production is co-produced by Alexis Doyle.

Director and designer Tony Walton also returns to the Irish Repertory Theatre, having directed and designed the company's revivals of Shaw's THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE and MAJOR BARBARA, and Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, as well as the US premiere of Noel Coward's AFTER THE BALL. His many awards include the Oscar, the Emmy and three Tonys (16 nominations). He was elected to the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1991. His Broadway credits include revivals of OUR TOWN, I'M NOT RAPPAPORT, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, UNCLE VANYA, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, 1776, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SHE LOVES ME, GUYS AND DOLLS and ANYTHING GOES; original productions of Bob Fosse's CHICAGO and PIPPIN, Pinter's MOONLIGHT and ASHES TO ASHES, GRAND HOTEL, THE REAL THING, THE Will Rogers FOLLIES, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and WELL; Madison Square Garden's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and
THE BOY FRIEND, directed by Julie Andrews. He also directed and designed the smash hit revival WHERE'S CHARLIE? for the Goodspeed Opera House and other distinguished regional theatres. Mr. Walton has designed for films including "Mary Poppins," "Murder on the Orient Express," "Fahrenheit 451," "The Wiz," "The Boy Friend," "All That Jazz," "Death of a Salesman," "The Glass Menagerie," "Regarding Henry," and "Deathtrap."

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciaran 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.

The Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) is the world's first and largest collection of films and video recordings of live theatre performance. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, it is best known
for creating original documentation recordings of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre productions but also includes vast holdings of theatre-related documentaries, dialogues, interviews,
lectures, and awards programs. Recipient of a Special Tony Award, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel awards, TOFT's mission is to document and preserve the outstanding theatre of our era for both theatre history and future research for theatre professionals, students, scholars, journalists, and others. The TOFT Archive is part of the Billy Rose Theatre Division of the The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, located at Lincoln Center.

Irish Repertory Theatre Company continues its 22nd Season with WHITE WOMAN STREET by Sebastian Barry, author of THE STEWARD OF CHRISTENDOM and OUR LADY OF SLIGO, which was presented at Irish Repertory in 2000, starring Sinead Cusack. Directed by Charlotte Moore, WHITE WOMAN STREET begins previews May 7, prior to its official press opening May 16. Performances run through June 27.

Performances of CANDIDA run through April 25 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues): Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8pm; plus 3pm matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $65 and $55, and are available by calling 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.