O'Neill's EMPEROR JONES Starring John Douglas Thompson Kicks Off Irish Rep 09-10 Season; Starts 10/7

John Douglas Thompson -- OBIE and Lucille Lortel Award-winning actor for last season's acclaimed revival of OTHELLO -- returns to Off-Broadway in the Irish Repertory Theatre's 2009-2010 season opener, THE EMPEROR JONES by Eugene O'Neill, with previews set to begin October 7, prior to its official press opening October 18 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan. Ciaran O'Reilly, whose direction of O'Neill's THE HAIRY APE at the Irish Rep a few seasons ago earned him Drama Desk, Drama League and Callaway award nominations, is set to direct.

THE EMPEROR JONES is the story of Brutus Jones, an African-American man who sets himself up as emperor on a Caribbean island after fleeing the United States following a prison escape. The 1920 expressionistic drama recounts Brutus' story in flashbacks as he makes his way through the forest in an attempt to flee subjects who have rebelled against him.

Last season, John Douglas Thompson electrified Off-Broadway audiences with his performance as Othello (Theater for a New Audience), winning critical acclaim as well as an OBIE and Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. Mr. Thompson's Broadway credits include CYRANO DE BERGERAC with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner and JULIUS CEASAR, opposite Denzel Washington. Other notable Off-Broadway credits include WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN (Red Bull Theatre) and Classical Theater of Harlem's KING LEAR, for which he received an AUDLECO nomination.

Ciaran O'Reilly returns to O'Neill's work having directed the Irish Rep's acclaimed revival of THE HAIRY APE (Drama Desk, Drama League, & Callaway nominations) in 2006. Mr. O'Reilly co-founded The Irish Repertory Theatre with Charlotte Moore. In past seasons, he has directed THE YEATS PROJECT; THE MASTER BUILDER; PRISONER OF THE CROWN; SIVE; DEFENDER OF THE FAITH; THE FIELD; PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! (Drama Desk nomination); and the Irish Rep original, THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS.

Full cast and creative team for THE EMPEROR JONES are to be announced.

THE EMPEROR JONES runs October 7-November 29, with its official press opening Sunday, October 18 at Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). For more information, call 212-727-2737 or visit www.irishrep.org.

Founded by Ciaran O'Reilly and 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 Irish Repertory concludes its 2008-2009 Season with Cónal Creedon's AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD, two short plays about the bond between fathers and sons, directed by Tim Ruddy, running through September 20.

For more information, visit www.irishrep.org.