Irish Repertory Theatre Presents NOCTU, Previews 9/6

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) launches its 24th Season with the American premiere of the new Irish dance performance piece NOCTÚ, an Èriu Dance Company production, with previews set to begin September 6 on the Irish Repertory's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage, prior to an official press opening September 12.

Choreographed and directed by RIVERDANCE Principal Dancer Breandán de Gallaí, NOCTÚ is a completely new departure for the Irish dance show genre. It pushes the boundaries of the Irish dance aesthetic and explores new expression possibilities. This performance allows the
audience to get under the skin of those who perform in the dance world and allows us a glimpse of what matters to them.

Support for this production was provided by Imagine Ireland, an initiative of Culture Ireland.

In NOCTÚ, there are no boundaries, no rules, no expectations - only pure organic movement - an unexplored, visceral aesthetic is bared. The centerpiece of the show illustrates the world as the dancers see it - from their point of view ... through their lens. It is an unearthing of a personal narrative ... an archaeology of the self. It is a shameless display of that which was previously unimaginable ... a devil-may-care attitude to the conventional. It is an honest celebration of who we really are. As the work develops, awkward spaces are rejected and marginalized characters unite - their uniqueness celebrated as exceptional. It champions three central disenfranchised
characters as they negotiate a new space in which to function - one in which they feel they can belong.

NOCTÚ climaxes with an unrefined and coarse tribal celebration, a return to our bestial beginnings. This savagely danced piece is a lustful and reckless display of that which lurks beneath the skin, yearning to penetrate the surface.

NOCTÚ ... Exposed Dreams - Revealed Passions - Naked Truths.

NOCTÚ was the subject of the RTÉ reality TV series "Dance Off." The American premiere stars the Éiru Dance Company - an international cast of world-class Irish step dancers from Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, Canada and Hungary: Jack Anderson, Peta Anderson, Ellen
Bonner, Orlagh Carty, Joseph Comerford, Niamh Darcy, Gyula Glaser, James Greenan, Kyla Marsh, Kienan Melino, Megan McElhatton, Ashlene McFadden, Nick O'Connell, Katrina O'Donnell, Aislinn Ryan, and Callum Spencer.

The production features original music by Joe Csibi, the former musical director of RIVERDANCE, plus traditional Irish music, classical compositions, and contemporary songs. NOCTÚ has lighting
design by Michael O'Connor and costume design by Nikki Connor. Scripting consultant is Seán de Gallaí. Production Stage Manager is Caesar Arroyo.

Choreographer and director Breandán de Gallaí's professional dancing career began with RIVERDANCE in Eurovision 1994, and spanned 9 years. As Principal Dancer for 7 of those years, he performed in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and led the company at the opening
ceremony of the World Special Olympic Games in 2003. He has shared the stage with the principals of The Royal Ballet, Darcy Bussell and Wayne Sleep, and has shared headline status with José Carreras. He has performed live for Presidents McAleese and Robinson of Ireland. He has also performed for the late King Hussein of Jordan; the Emperor of Japan; the late Diana, Princess of Wales; Prince Charles; Queen Elizabeth; Prince Rainier of Monte Carlo; and Queen Sonia of Norway. In 2007 he returned to RIVERDANCE as Dance Director. Breandán de
Gallaí won a scholarship to study Ballet and Modern dance at the Gus Giordano Dance Academy in 1987 and holds an honors degree in Applied Physics from DCU. He completed "Balor," a 90-minute contemporary Irish dance show to music composed by Joe Csibi. He regularly presents TV
programs for RTÉ and TG4 and was external examiner for the MA in Irish dance performance in the University of Limerick from 2004 until 2008. He graduated with an MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick in 2009, and is currently completing a PhD in Arts Practice.

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán 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.

Currently at The Irish Repertory Theatre is TRYST, Karoline Leach's romantic thriller about two lost souls and their secrets, with performances running through August 21. Directed by Joe Brancato,
TRYST co-stars Andrea Maulella and Mark Shanahan.

Performances of NOCTÚ run September 6-October 2 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues): Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm; plus 3pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (with the following exceptions: no performance September 11; 7pm opening on September 12). Tickets are $55 and $65, and are
available by calling 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.

For more information, visit www.irishrep.org