Performances began Dec. 9 toward a Dec. 21 opening at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater, 336 W. 20th Street. Critics raved about the Off-Broadway staging, directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes (Broadway's The Beauty Queen of Leenane). The original closing date was announced as Feb. 1, 2009.
The celebrated Druid cast of The Cripple of Inishmaan transferred intact following a U.K. tour, and features Kerry Condon, Andrew Connolly, Laurence Kinlan, Dearbhla Molloy, Aaron Monaghan, Tony Award winner Marie Mullen (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Patricia O'Connell, David Pearse and John C. Vennema.
"Set in 1934 on an island off the west coast of Ireland, Hollywood filmmaker Robert Flaherty arrives on the neighboring island of Inishmore to film his movie 'The Man of Aran' and excitement ripples through the sleepy community of Inishmaan," according to ATC. "For orphaned Billy Claven, who has been relentlessly scorned by the island's inhabitants, the film represents an escape from the poverty of his existence. He vies for a part in the film, and to everyone's surprise, it is the cripple who gets his chance."
This production marks the third collaboration between Atlantic and McDonagh following the company's critically acclaimed American premiere production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore, which transferred to Broadway and received five 2006 Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. Atlantic and Druid previously collaborated on the world premiere of McDonagh's hit play The Beauty Queen of Leenane, which transferred to Broadway and won four 1998 Tony Awards.
The creative team features scenic and costume design by Francis O'Connor, lighting design by Davy Cunningham, sound design by John Leonard and original music composed by Colin Towns. The Cripple of Inishman plays Tuesday through Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM and 7 PM. Visit www.atlantictheater.org for special holiday performance schedule and tickets. Tickets are $65 and are available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (ticketcentral.com).
