The Irish Repertory Theatre revival of Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones, starring British actor Obi Abili as Brutus Jones, has extended its run Off-Broadway by nearly a month.
Directed by Ciarán O’Reilly, the limited engagement, which officially opened March 12, had been scheduled to end its run April 23. Performances will now continue through May 21 at Irish Rep Theatre, located at 132 West 22nd Street, on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage.
The cast also includes William Bellamy (Finian’s Rainbow), Carl Hendrick Louis (The Cherry Orchard), Sinclair Mitchell (The Lion King), Angel Moore (A Raisin in the Sun), Andy Murray (War Horse), and Reggie Talley (Stomp).
Joining the production April 8–May 21 is J. Cameron Barnett (The Blacklist), who takes over for Louis.
O’Neill’s 1920 drama The Emperor Jones tells the story of a leader whose rise to success is propelled by lies, intimidation, and fear. After setting himself up as monarch of a Caribbean island, Jones descends into terrifying, psychological darkness—haunted by the ghosts of his past, all the while striving for salvation.
The production features choreography by Barry McNabb (Finian’s Rainbow), lighting design by Brian Nason (Donnybrook!), set design by Charlie Corcoran (Shining City), costume design by Antonia Ford Roberts (The Sounding) and Whitney Locher (Into the Woods), sound design and music by Ryan Rumery (The Pigeon in the Taj Mahal) and M. Florian Staab (Shining City), additional music by Christian Frederickson (The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois), and puppet and mask design by Bob Flanagan (Saturday Night Live).
Tickets can be purchased through Irish Rep’s box office by calling (212) 727-2737 or online at IrishRep.org.
