Boyett-Ostar Enterprises will produce the play in New York. McPherson (The Weir, Shining City) will direct his Dublin-set play, which centers around a card game over Christmas Eve and into Christmas morning. The casting notice indicates a first preview on or about Nov. 18 toward an opening on or about Dec. 6.
According to National Theatre notes, "It's Christmas Eve and Sharky has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother who's recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul…"
The role of blind Richard Harkin, played in London by Jim Norton, has been cast for Broadway, although the casting notice does not reveal whether it will be Norton, who won a 2007 Olivier Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor.
At the National's Cottesloe, the creative team included director McPherson. designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Neil Austin and sound designer Mathew Smethurst-Evans. The cast featured Ron Cook as Mr. Lockhart, Conleth Hill as Ivan Curry, Karl Johnson as James "Sharky" Harkin, Michael McElhatton as Nicky Giblin and Jim Norton as Richard Harkin.