'Tir na nOg' Premieres at Magic Theatre Feb.23-March 23

Magic Theatre continues its 2007-08 Season of New Plays with the world premiere of Edna O'Brien's Tir na nOg ("Land of Youth") directed by Artistic Director Chris Smith.  Acclaimed Irish dancer/choreographer and Riverdance co-founder Jean Butler choreographs the movement in this dynamically theatrical adaptation of O'Brien's acclaimed novel "The Country Girls."

With live music, dance, and uniquely rich language, this coming of age play follows two girls who make their way from rural Ireland to Dublin.  Supported by generous grants from National Endowment for the Arts and Culture Ireland, Tir na nOg ("Land of Youth") performs February 23 - March 23, 2008 at Magic's Sam Shepard Theatre (Bldg D, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA - parking lot entrance at Marina Blvd. and Buchanan St.). Tickets are $20-$45 and available at (415) 441-8822 or www.magictheatre.org.

"In Tir na nOg ("Land of Youth"), Edna O'Brien revisits 'The Country Girls,' her seminal first novel which established her international reputation. The novel focuses on the sexual and artistic awakening of a young girl in the 1950s following her from a small village in rural Ireland to Dublin. While staying true to the original story line, Ms. O'Brien has taken liberties in adapting this coming of age story to the stage.  She has weaved song, movement, and her signature vivid language into a truly theatrical experience," explain press notes.

The cast for Tir na nOg ("Land of Youth") includes Allison White (The Crowd You're In With) and Summer Serafin as Kate and Baba, the two young girls, along with Matt Foyer, Jodi Gelb, Robert Parsons, Cat Thompson, and Michael Louis Wells.

The production team features associate director and choreographer Jean Butler, set designer Annie Smart (The Right Kind of People), light designer Kurt Landisman (The Crowd You're In With, The Joan Rivers Theatre Project, God of Hell, The Sweetest Swing in Baseball), costume designer Cassandra Carpenter (Rust), sound designer Sara Huddleston (The Crowd You're In With, Expedition 6, The Joan Rivers Project), and renowned Irish singer and actress Aine Ui Cheallaigh (The Pirate Queen on Broadway) as musical advisor.

Previews are Saturday, February 23 at 8PM; Sunday, February 24 at 2:30PM; Wednesday, February 27 - Friday, February 29 at 8PM.  Opens Saturday, March 1 at 8PM with performances through March 23.  Show times are Wednesday - Saturday at 8PM; Sundays at 2:30PM & 7PM.

Magic Theatre (Bldg D, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA at Marina Blvd. & Buchanan St.). Tickets $20-$45 (senior, student, educator, and group discounts available). Wednesday performances: Sliding scale tickets ($5-$25) available a half hour prior to performance (as available). Call 415-441-8822 or www.magictheatre.org.