Off Broadway West Theatre Co. Presents THE WEIR, Now thru 12/7

Off Broadway West Theatre Company presents THE WEIR by Conor McPherson, tonight, November 7 - December 7, 2013.

The Play: The wind howls outside and the spirits flow freely inside a pub in rural Ireland throughout Conor McPherson's, THE WEIR. Valerie, a mysterious outsider from Dublin, appears and the men, already gathered in young Brendan's pub for their regular "pint" and friendly banter, welcome her into their community with a rousing round of increasingly intimate and spooky ghost stories. The sense of competition amongst the single men for Valerie's attention increases with each yarn spun evolving into a deep compassion after she shares her own startling tale.

McPherson's celebration of the rich storytelling heritage of his own Ireland serves as a vehicle for what is a moving investigation of relationships, both formal and familial. The men's relationships reveal more than local color. These men are a sort of family, gathering at the pub to play out a powerful and entertaining dynamic, which sheds light upon each one's personal situation. The "weir" is both a geographical locale within the world of the play, a source of great pride amongst the local residents, and a metaphorical convention used by the playwright. Like a weir, the author controls the level of personal connection each man has with the stories they share. The stories are, at first, a sampling of the local lore, but subsequently become more intimate portrayals of the storytellers themselves.

The Playwright: Conor McPherson was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1971 and is considered one of the best contemporary Irish playwrights and directors. He wrote THE WEIR, a bittersweet and melancholy tale, in 1997, and it won the Laurence Olivier, Evening Standard, George Devine and Critics Circle Awards. Some of McPherson's other award-winning works include: Port Authority, Dublin Carol, Shining City, The Seafarer, and The Night Alive. He has also written, co-written and/or directed several screenplays which have been made into films: I Went Down, Endgame, The Actors, and The Eclipse. In June 2013, the University College Dublin awarded McPherson an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature in recognition of his contribution to the theatre world.

Director: Richard D. Harder, Artistic Director, Off Broadway West Theatre Company. Cast: Keith Burkland,* Shane Fahy, Brian O'Connor, Adam Simpson and Jocelyn Stringer. (*Appears with special permission from the Actors' Equity Association.)

The show opens on November 8, 2013 and closes on December 7, 2013. Preview on November 7, 2013. Time: Curtain @ 8:00 p.m. (Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays) (Closed 11/28 - Thanksgiving). All performances play The Phoenix Theatre, 414 Mason Street, Suite 601, San Francisco (between Geary & Post). Tickets: $40.00 General Admission (TBA, Senior, Student & Group Discounts Available). Advance Tickets: 1-800-838-3006 or www.offbroadwaywest.org. Information: 510-835-4205 or info@offbroadwaywest.org.

Off Broadway West Theatre Company is an award-winning, non-profit San Francisco theatre company in its seventh season continuing its mission to provide the Bay Area theatre community with plays that engage and challenge without forgetting to entertain. This is an Equity-Approved production.

Pictured: Keith Burkland, Jocelyn Stringer and Adam Simpson.