Garry Hynes, Etc. Set for Translations 'After Words'

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced its new "After Words" discussion series at the Biltmore Theatre, which launches Saturday, January 20th following the 2pm performance.

The first series of discussions will focus on Manhattan Theatre Club's current offering at the Biltmore Theatre, Brian Friel's Translations. This Saturday's inaugural "After Words" will feature Garry Hynes, the Tony Award-winning director of Translations, and Dr. John P. Waters, NYU Professor and specialist in Irish Cultural Studies. The session will be moderated by MTC Director of Artistic Operations Mandy Greenfield.

"In the weeks following, prominent writers, cultural critics, journalists, public figures and members of the Translations creative team will gather at the Biltmore Theatre following selected Saturday matinees to discuss the issues of history, language and colonialism raised by Friel's powerful and provocative play about cultural identity, love and loss. Join some of the leading figures in Irish and Irish-American letters, culture and scholarship for a fascinating series of discussions inspired by Brian Friel's award-winning masterpiece," state press materials.

Panelists in the subsequent editions of "After Words: Translations" include Dr. John P. Harrington, editor of the Norton "Modern Irish Drama" and Dean of the School of Humanities at Rensselaer, Malachy McCourt, author ("A Monk Swimming") and performer ("Oz"), Paul Muldoon, Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish poet, and Nuala O'Faolain, best-selling author ("Are You Somebody?"). Specific dates will be announced shortly.

For special discounted tickets to a Saturday matinee performance of Translations and the accompanying "After Words: Translations," please call 212-947-8844 and mention code TRAFW24, or visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter coded TRAFW24. Offer is valid for all Saturday matinee performances through March 10, 2007. Restrictions apply. Regular talkbacks at MTC's New York City Center space will continue to take place as usual.

Details about "After Words: LoveMusik," which will focus on the Biltmore's next production, will be announced at a later date.

Translations officially opens on Thursday, January 25 at the Biltmore Theatre.  In 1981, MTC produced the American premiere of Brian Friel's masterpiece Translations. Twenty-five years later, the themes of this play are as timely as ever. Clashing cultures and tragedies of miscommunication unfold in Friel's invented Irish county of Ballybeg, a place he has explored in his plays Dancing at Lughnasa, Aristocrats and Molly Sweeney.  Poignant and moving, Translations depicts the power of language to unite and divide people in a time of cultural imperialism."

The cast includes Niall Buggy, David Costabile, Alan Cox, Dermot Crowley, Michael FitzGerald, Morgan Hallett, Geraldine Hughes, Susan Lynch, Graeme Malcolm and Chandler Williams.

Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for tickets to Translations and for more information.