Photo Flash: Redtwist Theatre Presents THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, Opening Tonight, 5/13

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 Pillowman in 2009, it's her time again. The theatre 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. The request was granted last June, and the production opens tonight May 13. See photos from the show below!

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)

SCHEDULE - Opens: Sun, May 13, 3pm; Runs: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm; Closes: Sun, Jun 24, 3pm.

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours, which includes one intermission

Previews: $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 visit 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.

Photos courtesy of Redtwist Theatre.