Artists Rep Presents The Lieutenant of Inishmore 2/8-3/13

Filled with as much laughter as gore, this shockingly funny black comedy is about blood, guts and a little black cat named Wee Thomas. Meet a ruthless Irish terrorist who thinks the IRA is too soft, a bumbling duo with a flawed cover-up plan, and a fiery redheaded lass with an itchy trigger finger and something to prove. This Monty Python-esque farce, by one of today's hottest Irish playwrights, shows us to what extremes a man and his village will go when a cat is killed.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play. The San Francisco Chronicle observed, "Gasps and laughter fill the house simultaneously," in their review and the New York Observer proclaims, "Best bloody play I ever saw..." Artists Rep first introduced the playwright to Portland audiences in 2000 with their production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane.

Associate Artistic Director and play Director Jon Kretzu saw the play in Stratford on Avon in 2001 and says it was "one of the most exciting, visceral and thrilling nights of theater I've ever had..."
Artists Rep has held onto the rights to produce this play for the past seven years and now is delighted to unleash it to Portland audiences.

"I love this play because it is both terrifying and hysterical which is a fascinating combination," said Kretzu. "It is the most violent anti-violence play ever made." He continues, "This play demands gallons of blood, guns of all shapes and sizes, hanging a man from the ceiling and dead cat models (rented from the Mark Taper Forum)... this is a mammoth effort in production value."

The play is written by Martin McDonagh and directed by Artists Rep's Associate Artistic Director Jon Kretzu. The Lieutenant of Inishmore runs February 8 through March 13 at Artists Repertory Theatre, Alder Stage, 1515 SW Morrison. Tickets are $20-$42 at 503.241.1278; www.artistsrep.org.