Photo Flash: New Shots from Strawdog Theatre's CONVERSATIONS ON A HOMECOMING

Strawdog Theatre Company's 2013 - 2014 season opens with Conversations on a Homecoming by Tom Murphy, now through September 28, directed by Jonathan Berry, 3829 N. Broadway Street. Preview performance tickets are $15 with performances continuing Aug. 23 and 25. There is a Board Preview performance, Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., with $50 tickets that include access to a post-performance reception. Opening/Press Night is Monday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. Industry Night is Monday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has new shots of the cast in onstage below!

Acclaimed Director Jonathan Berry (Griffin Theatre associate artistic director and Steep Theatre artistic associate) makes his Strawdog debut at the helm of Tom Murphy's 1985 Irish classic. After 10 years chasing his dreams in America, Michael (Adam Soule) returns home to Galway to reconnect with old friends and rekindle old flames. However, over the course of the evening, and the downing of many pints at the White House Pub, his romanticism of the past collides with the realities of a world that has abandoned the idealism of his youth and Michael must now face what he has become.

Tom Murphy, considered by many to rival Brian Friel as Ireland's greatest living playwright, has been largely undiscovered in America. The Druid Theatre, from Murphy's hometown of Galway, presented three of his plays at the Lincoln Center Festival in 2012 introducing his work to American audiences to wide critical acclaim. His work spans from 1961's Whistle In The Dark to the present and the Dublin's Abbey Theatre recently presented a six-play showcase season of his work.

Cast also includes Strawdog ensemble members Michael Dailey and Anita Deely with guest artists Jeff Duhigg, Emily Nichelson, Janice O'Neil, Ed Porter and Adam Soule.

The production crew includes Strawdog Company members Mike Mroch, production manager and set design; Sean Mallary, light designer and Aly Renee Greaves Amidei, costume design with Karina Kim, assistant production manager; Kali Story, assistant light designer; Heath Hays, sound design; Justin Snyder, technical director; John Kelly, master electrician; Eleanor Kahn, props designer; Adam Goldstein, dialect coach and Allison Raynes, stage manager.

All productions, plus ongoing late night offerings, are presented at Strawdog's space in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, 3829 N. Broadway Street. Tickets are available at .773.528.9696 or www.strawdog.org. The neighborhood has limited paid parking and is easily accessible by public transportation (via the Red Line Sheridan stop, plus 36-Broadway, 80-Irving Park, and 151-Sheridan buses).