A Skull in Connemara, the least known of Martin McDonagh's "Leenane" trilogy, opens its first major American production at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre July 27 for a run through Aug. 20. Performances began July 21. ACT artistic director Gordon Edelstein (Scent of the Roses) directs.

In this chapter of McDonagh's Leenane plays, all set in Ireland's remote west country, Mick Dowd is again setting about the task he's hired for every fall -- digging up the old bones in the local cemetery to make room for new arrivals. This year, however, he comes upon the remains of his late wife, and the rumors resurface about her mysterious death in a drunk driving accident seven years before.

McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane won three Tony Awards (although not best play) and was followed on Broadway by the third Leenane play, The Lonesome West. He is also the author of the Aran Island trilogy, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Banshees of Inisheer.

Kevin Tighe stars as Dowd. Tighe co-starred on "Emergency!" before taking films roles in "Matewan," "In Cold Blood," "Race the Sun," "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "City of Hope," "Another 48 Hours," and "Road House." Also in the cast are Zoaunne LeRoy as Maryjohnny Rafferty, Andrew McGinn as Mairtin Hanlon and Obie winner Christopher Evan Welch as Thomas Hanlon.

Designing Skull are Broadway set designer David Gallo (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, A View From the Bridge, Bunny, Bunny), costumer Susan Hilferty, Wit lighting designer Michael Chybowski and soundman Stephen LeGrand. Jeffrey K. Hanson is the stage manager. Tickets are $42-$23. A Contemporary Theatre is located at Kreielsheimer Place. For tickets, call (206) 292-7676. A Contemporary Theatre is online at http://www.acttheatre.org.

-- By Christine Ehren