Associated Press Profiles Guthrie Director Joe Dowling

Known throughout the United States and Ireland as a preeminent director and scholar of Brian Friel's work, Guthrie Director Joe Dowling will return to his acting roots - making his American acting debut - to play the title role in Faith Healer.

The Associated Press article is titled "Leap of ‘faith as Guthrie Theater director takes stage as actor in Friel drama" by Jeff Baenen- Associated Press (October 15, 2009)

It begins: "Director Joe Dowling is stepping into what could be a scary place at the Guthrie Theater: on stage, facing an audience as an actor for the first time in more than two decades.

Dowling makes his American acting debut as the title character - an itinerant Irish miracle-worker - in Brian Friel's "Faith Healer." Dowling, the longtime head of the Guthrie, a Tony-winning regional theatre, is also directing the production, part of a worldwide celebration of Friel's 80th birthday. The show opens Oct. 23 and runs through Dec. 6."

To read the complete profile click here: http://tinyurl.com/APdowling

This powerful play about Frank Hardy, his wife Grace and talent manager Teddy offers an intimate portrait of three adults, told through a series of four emotionally stirring monologues. Frank, Grace and Teddy each describe their own version of the personal and professional bond they share, the astonishing yet unpredictable nature of Frank's ability, and how their lives were ultimately shaped forever by a single event.

Associated Press reporter Jeff Baenen recently sat down with Dowling to talk about the produciton, which begins preview performance Saturday, October 17 at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis.

For complete production information, visit www.FaithHealerLive.com.