Irish Rep Announces World Premiere Of KINGFISHERS CATCH FIRE

Irish Repertory Theatre announces the World Premiere of Kingfishers Catch Fire, by Robin Glendinning (Jennifer's Holiday), directed by Kent Paul (Lost in Yonkers). Kingfishers Catch Fire begins performances in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre on September 11, 2019, with opening night set for September 22, for a limited run through October 20, 2019.

It's 1948 when Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty first visits the infamous Nazi Herbert Kappler in the Italian prison where Kappler is serving a life sentence for crimes against humanity. During World War II, the men were adversaries; Kappler was the head of the Gestapo in German-occupied Rome, and Monsignor O'Flaherty was using the cover of Vatican neutrality to shelter and arrange for the escape of thousands of Allied servicemen and Jewish civilians. Kappler placed a bounty on O'Flaherty's head, but O'Flaherty evaded capture, earning the nickname "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican." When these two men meet after the war, profound questions of responsibility and redemption rattle the cages. Based on a true story, Kingfishers Catch Fire examines morality and personal culpability for actions taken during a devastating war.

This is the world premiere of Kingfishers Catch Fire, inspired by the true story of Herbert Kappler and Monsignor O'Flaherty. Kingfishers Catch Fire received a staged reading in 2016 as part of the Irish Rep Reading Series.

Casting will be announced at a later date.

Kingfishers Catch Fire will feature set design by Edward Morris, costume design by Linda Fisher, lighting design by Matthew McCarthy, and sound design by Rob Rees.

The performance schedule for Kingfishers Catch Fire will be as follows: Wednesdays at 3pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Exceptions: The performance on Sunday, September 22 will take place at 7pm.

Tickets to Kingfishers Catch Fire range from $45.00 - $50.00 and are available through Irish Rep's box office at 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org. A block of tickets for preview performances will go on sale at noon two weeks before first preview for $22 each. This $22 on 22nd Street initiative will be made available for all Irish Rep productions.

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