Morse & Norton of 'The Seafarer' on 'Leonard Lopate Show' Today

The Seafarer's David Morse and Jim Norton will be guests on WNYC's "The Leonard Lopate Show" this Thursday, January 3 (12:40 – 1:00 PM).

Morse and Norton will sit down with Lopate to discuss working on the New York premiere of Conor McPherson's The Seafarer currently playing at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street).

"The Leonard Lopate Show" can be heard on 93.9 FM or 820 AM.

From Conor McPherson, the author of the Olivier Award-winning The Weir and the Tony-nominated Shining City, comes "a chilling new play about the sea, Ireland, and the power of myth. It's Christmas Eve and Sharky (Morse) has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother (Norton) who's recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan (Hill) and Nicky (Mahon) are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger (Hinds) from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul," explain press notes.

Two-time Olivier Award winner Conleth Hill (Stones in His Pockets, The Producers) is reprising his role as 'Ivan Curry,' which he originated at The National Theatre in London. Ciarán Hinds is best known to audiences as 'Gaius Julius Caesar' in HBO's epic drama "Rome," and Closer in the West End and on Broadway. Sean Mahon is making his Broadway debut as 'Nicky Giblin.'Drama Desk Award winner David Morse (How I Learned to Drive) is returning to New York theatre after receiving an Emmy nomination for his guest starring role in "House, M.D." Jim Norton is reprising his role as 'Richard Harkin' for which he received the 2007 Olivier Award.

The Broadway production of The Seafarer opened on Thursday, December 6 and began previews on Tuesday, October 30.

The Seafarer received its world premiere in 2006 at the National's Cottesloe Theatre, opening to critical acclaim. The Seafarer received two Olivier Award nominations including Best New Play for McPherson. Jim Norton received the Olivier for Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

The creative team for The Seafarer includes: Rae Smith (set and costume design), Neil Austin (lighting design), and Mathew Smethurst-Evans (sound design).

The Seafarer is the latest National Theatre production to be produced on Broadway by Boyett Ostar Productions. Previous productions include Alan Bennett's Tony Award-winning The History Boys directed by NT director, Nicholas Hytner, as well as the recent productions of Coram Boy, Jumpers, Democracy, and The Pillowman.

In its three theatres on the south bank of the Thames in London, the National Theatre of Great Britain presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics, with seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. It aims constantly to re-energize the great traditions of British stage and to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike.

For more information on The Seafarer, please visit www.SeafarerThePlay.com

The Seafarer ticket info: Ticket range from $98.50 - $76.50. Telecharge 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com. Performance Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.