By Kenneth Jones
06 Dec 2007

Director Charlotte Moore
photo by Aubrey Reuben

The Irish Repertory Theatre's holiday-season show, Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, paired with Twas the Night Before Christmas, adapted and directed by Charlotte Moore, plays Dec. 6-30 in Manhattan.

Opening is Dec. 13 at Irish Rep's home on West 22nd Street. The 70-minute show will play Irish Rep's intimate 54-seat studio theatre. Meanwhile, the company's mainstage will feature Bernard Shaw's The Devil's Disciple (Dec. 5-Jan. 27, 2008).

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The two-part show Wales/Twas includes traditional and original music, and features Kerry Conte, Bonnie Fraser, Justin Packard, Joshua Park and Ashley Robinson. Musical direction is by John Bell. Rhonda Picou is the stage manager.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas" is the opening line of Clement Moore's verse tale, "A Visit From St. Nicholas."

According to Irish Rep notes, Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, a seacoast town in southern Wales, on Oct. 27, 1914. After dropping out of school at 16, he worked as a junior reporter on the South Wales Evening Post. In November 1934 Thomas moved to London, and in December of that year published his first book of poetry, short stories, radio plays and film scripts. Thomas also conducted a series of reading tours of the United States. During his fourth American lecture tour, and a few days after his 39th birthday, he collapsed in his New York hotel. Dylan Thomas died on Nov. 9, 1953, at St. Vincent's Hospital. His body was sent back to Wales, where his grave is marked by a simple wooden cross.

Moore (Irish Rep's artistic director) recently directed the troupe's Gaslight, Meet Me in St. Louis, Mrs. Warren's Profession and Mr. Dooley's America.

Performances will play Wednesday-Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling (212) 727-2737 or at the box office prior to the show.

For more information visit www.irishrep.org.