HARD TIMES Extends Through 2/16

After receiving critical acclaim and overwhelming demand by sold out New York audiences, Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster musical "Hard Times" will extend performances thru February 16th at the the cell, A Twenty First Century Salon (Founding Artistic Director, Nancy Manocherian) (338 West 23rd Street). The production will play the following ten additional performances: Wednesdays thru Saturdays 2/5-8 and 2/12-15 at 8pm; Sundays 2/9 and 2/16 at 3pm.

Hard Times was originally produced as part of the 2012 "1st Irish Theatre Festival." Produced and curated by Artistic Director George Heslin, the annual September festival is a celebration of the best of Irish theatre.

Set in a saloon in Lower Manhattan's notorious Five Points in 1863, Hard Times combines the story of America's first great songwriter Stephen Foster and a neighborhood under siege and about to explode with ethnic frictions that will determine the destiny of contemporary New York. Through a re-imagining of Stephen Foster's songbook, combined with new music material by Mr. Kirwan, Hard Times explores New York City Civil War tensions with a modern musical and dramatic sensibility.

The Acting Company includes: Jed Peterson as Stephen Foster, Jennifer Lorae as Jane Foster, Almeria Campbell as Nelly Blythe, James D. Sasser as Michael Jenkins, Stephane Duret as Thomas Jefferson and John Charles McLaughlin as Owen Duignan.

The production features scenic and prop design by Dara Wishingrad; lighting design by Gertjan Houben; arrangements and orchestrations by Andrew Smithson; musical direction/additional arrangements and orchestrations by Rona Siddiqui; casting director is Jason Najjoum.

Hard Times will play thru February 16th at the cell (338 West 23rd Street New York, NY 10011) with performances Thursday thru Saturday at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are $35 and are available online at www.thecelltheatre.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the cell, half an hour prior to performance. Running Time: 120 minutes (with intermission).

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