Charlie Owens Is A Man of No Importance at the Gallery Players, Beginning Jan. 28

By Adam Hetrick
28 Jan 2012

Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens

Charlie Owens leads the cast of the Gallery Players production of A Man of No Importance, the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty-Terrence McNally musical about a man struggling with his sexuality in 1964 Dublin, which begins performances Jan. 28

Directed by Hans Friedrichs, Owens plays Alfie Byrne, a closeted bus conductor in the musical based on the 1994 film of the same title. A Man of No Importance will run through Feb. 19.

The cast also features Renee Claire Bergeron, Katie Bruestle, Eric Folks, Rachel Green, Greg Horton, Julianne Katz, Adam Kee, Lorinne Lampert, Eric William Love, Jake Mendes, Eric Morris, Sean Patrick Murtagh, John Weigand, Megan Opalinski, Danny Randerson and Spencer Robinson.

A Man of No Importance has music by Flaherty, lyrics by Ahrens and a book by McNally. It premiered Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater in 2002. The authors previously earned Tony Awards for their collaboration on the musical Ragtime.

According to the Gallery Players, A Man of No Importance "tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a bus conductor in 1964 Dublin who is struggling with a secret he can’t even admit to himself: he is gay. When he’s not driving his route, Alfie pursues his artistic passion and directs theatrical productions for a local troupe in a church hall. He is soon forced to confront his fears, shame and the bigotry of others. A Man of No Importance is a tender and beautifully woven tale of family, friendship and acceptance, teaching us that it really is a wonderful thing to 'love who you love.'"

The production has musical direction by Julianne Merrill, musical staging by Christine O’Grady, scenic design by Kate Rance, costume design by Sarah Cogan, lighting design by Dan Jobbins, sound design by Julian Evans, video/projection design by Daniel Heffernan and prop design by Jackie Rivera. Robert Earle Jones produces the run.

For tickets call (718) 595-0547 or visit galleryplayers.com.

The Gallery Players is located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, at 199 14th Street. Those in Manhattan can reach the theatre by taking the F train to 4th Avenue or the R train to 9th Street.