McDonagh's THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN Opens at Redtwist Theatre Tonight, 5/13

The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh, directed by Kimberly Senior, opens at Redtwist Theatre tonight, May 13, at 3pm.

McDonagh’s plays are densely packed with vicious drama, wicked humor, savage truths, and deep humanity, while Senior uses her trademark vision, and Jack Magaw’s in-your-lap design, to cram McDonagh’s theatrical stew into a stage the size of a minivan—with no place to hide. McDonagh’s twisted family dramas were born for the intimacy of Redtwist. And after Kimberly’s uniquely creative staging of The Pillowmanin 2009, it’s her time again. Redtwist requested the performing rights two years ago, but the two-week visit by Druid Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare tied up the rights for one year prior and three months after their March, 2011, production. Redtwist's request was granted last June, and its production opens on May 13.

The Cripple of Inishmaan is the poignant and darkly funny story of a physically-challenged young man, the small town target of cruel jokes, who becomes starry-eyed when an American film crew comes to a rural outpost near his community to shoot a major motion picture. “Cripple Billy” leaves the town to find a better life through this golden "movie star" opportunity. Eventually he finds some respect and affection from among those who were the genesis of the ridicule. Lastly, in the hands of master dramatist Martin McDonagh, when Billy finds redemption among the townsfolk, a final twist of fate turns the tables again, in true mythic fashion. Pastoral and lyrical, cruel and savage, hilarious and heartwarming, this is McDonagh at his twisted, compassionate best.

The cast includes Redtwist company members Jan Ellen Graves (Kate), Debra Rodkin (Eileen), and Jeff Award-winner, BrIan Parry (Johnny). Other cast members include Baize Buzan (Helen), Chris Rickett (Bobby), Kathleen Ruhl (Mammy), Josh Salt (Billy), Chuck Spencer (Doctor), Patrick Whalen (Bartley), Robert Dean (u/s Johnny/Bobby), ElizaBeth Fahey (u/s Eileen), Monica Gilley (u/s Helen), Daria Harper (u/s Kate), Jim Morley (Doctor); Jason Peregoy (u/s Billy & Bartley), Joyce Porter (u/s Mammy).

Kimberly Senior (Director), George Lyons (Assistant Director), Jen Poulin (Stage Manager), Olivia Wallace (Assistant Stage Manager), Sarah Burnham (Production Manager), Olivia Baker (Production Assistant), Allison Queen (Production Assistant), Frank Sjodin (Tech Director), Jack Magaw (Set Designer & Lighting Designer), Eileen Rozycki (Scenic Charge), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), John Kelly (Master Electrician), kClare Kemock (Costume Designer), Mike Dunbar (Prop Designer), Cassandra Rose (Dramaturg), Joseph Robinson III, (Assistant Dramaturg), Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach), Mary Reynard Liss (Vocal Coach), Derek Gaspar (Fight Director), Jan Ellen Graves (Graphic Design), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager), Johnny Garcia (Associate Producer), Michael Colucci & Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)

The show opens: Today, Sunday, May 13, 3pm and runs: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm, closing Sun, June 24, 3pm. Running time is approximately 2 hours, which includes one intermission. Previews are $15; Thu, Fri, Sat, May 10, 11, 12, 7:30pm. Tickets: Thursdays, $25; Fridays & Sundays, $27; Saturdays, $30 (seniors & students $5 off). Group Rates: Special discounts for groups of 10 or more, and groups of 25 or more. For reservations, call 773-728-7529, email reserve@redtwist.org or go online at www.redtwist.org.

Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line EL station. Street parking (paybox until 9pm) is available on Bryn Mawr, side streets, and Broadway. Reserve 48 hours in advance.