The Off-Broadway production of John Murphy's The Country Boy opens March 1 at the Irish Repertory Theatre in Manhattan.

The show began previews Feb 22 and is scheduled to run through April 2.

Set in Ireland's County Mayo in 1959, Country Boy explores the virtue and cost of achieving the American Dream in its story of an Irishman who returns from the U.S. to visit his family. "I've never done such an old Irish chestnut as this," Irish Rep artistic director Charlotte Moore told Playbill On-Line, "it's great fun."

The cast for The Country Boy features Dara Coleman, Valorie Hubbard, Aideen O'Kelly, Heather O'Neill, Ciaran O'Reilly and James A. Stephens.

The production team comprises set designer David Raphel, costume designer David Toser and lighting designer Gregory Cohen. Tickets to The Country Boy run $30 - $35. Irish Repertory Theatre is located at 132 West 22nd St. For information, call (212) 727-2737.

-- By Murdoch McBride