Based upon Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock, this musical adaptation originally opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1959 but only ran for 16 performances. That cast featured Shirley Booth and Melvyn Douglas.
According to press notes, the show "chronicles the disintegration of an Irish family in Dublin in the early 1920s during the confrontation between the Irish Republican Army and the British. Juno Boyle is the hardworking matriarch who struggles heroically to hold her family together in the face of war, betrayal, and her husband's drinking."
This five-performance City Center staging by Garry Hynes starred Tony winner Victoria Clark in the title role. She was reunited with Spelling Bee's Celia Keenan-Bolger (as daughter Mary), who originated the role of Clara in the pre-Broadway run of The Light in the Piazza. Conrad John Schuck played husband "Captain" Jack Boyle and Michael Arden appeared as Mary's suitor Jerry Devine.
Also featured in the cast were Dermot Crowley (Joxer Boyle), Tyler Hanes (Johnny Boyle), Clarke Thorell (Charlie Bentham), Rosaleen Linehan (Mrs. Madigan), Louisa Flaningam (Mrs. Brady), Jennifer Smith (Miss Quinn) and Kay Walbye (Mrs. Coyne). Timothy W. Bish, Troy Edward Bowles, Pamela Brumley, Callie Carter, Leah Edwards, Kurt Froman, Ryan Jackson, Mary Ann Lamb, Jay Lusteck, Mary MacLeod, Annie McGreevey, J. Maxwell Miller, Pamela Otterson, John Selya, Timothy Shew, Meagan Thomas, Kevin Vortmann, Alan M-L Wagner, and Patrick Wetzel rounded out the ensemble.
The final production of the Encores! season will be Vincent Youmans' No, No, Nanette, to be directed by Walter Bobbie and starring Mara Davi, Sandy Duncan, Beth Leavel and Rosie O'Donnell. It runs from May 8-12. Below are some shots from the Juno final curtain call and the following reception held in the City Center mezzanine lobby:
photos by Aubrey Reuben