Citing the fact that star Niall Buggy missed a few rehearsals due to illness, the Irish Rep has postponed the official opening for Micheál MacLiammóir’s The Importance Of Being Oscar by one week. All other dates connected with the show remain unchanged.

The Importance Of Being Oscar began previews Jan. 20, and will now open to the press on Feb. 4. The show will run through its previously announced closing date, March 4.

As reported earlier, Irish Rep’s artistic director, Charlotte Moore and producing director Ciarán O’Reilly characterize the production with the synopsis: “Ireland’s most acclaimed actor – Niall Buggy – gives us Ireland’s most popular playwright, Oscar Wilde.” Oscar is directed by Moore, who also serves as set designer. The creative team comprises costume designer David Toser, lighting designer Jason A. Cina and sound designs by Murmod, Inc.

Niall Buggy’s theatre credits include The Weir on Broadway, Uncle Vanya, Shadow of a Gunman, Song at Sunset and Aristocrats. In the mid-'60s, playwright Micheál MacLiammóir appeared in Oscar on Broadway, painting the “true portrait of Oscar Wilde, woven from his dazzling works.”

Tickets are $35 and $40. The Irish Repertory Theatre box office is located at 132 W. 22 St., between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. For information call (212) 727-2737 or visit www.irishrepertorytheatre.com. —By Murdoch McBride