Deep Dish Theater Presents THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, Beginning 4/26

Life on a desolate island off the coast of Ireland is upended forever in Martin McDonagh's unforgettable comedy, The Cripple of Inishmaan, presented by Deep Dish Theater Company April 26-May 18. Directed by Tom Marriott, the play will conclude the company's twelfth season at University Mall.

Set in 1934 during the filming of the famous Hollywood documentary, Man of Aran, the play introduces us to the inhabitants of the tiny island of Inishmaan, including young Billy Claven, an orphan and outcast who dreams of leaving his village to make his fortune in the movies; the town gossip, Johnnypateenmike, and his 90-year-old alcoholic mother; Billy's delightfully dotty adoptive aunts; and Helen, the sharp-tongued object of Billy's affection. By turns hilarious, wicked and wistful, the play is a loving look at a community with only a tenuous connection to the outside world.

"This is as funny a play as we've ever done, full of hilariously eccentric characters," said Deep Dish Artistic Director Paul Frellick. "And yet at its heart is a really touching love/coming-of-age story. Martin McDonagh is a leading light of contemporary Irish drama, and with this play he manages to marry the new wave with the grand Irish traditions of Synge and O'Casey."

This Deep Dish production's cast includes Ishai Buchbinder, Andrew Crabtree, Marcia Edmundson, John Honeycutt, Julie Oliver, Samantha Rahn, Kevin Silva, Eric Swenson, and Adair Wiess. The design staff includes Miyuki Su (set), Doug Wood (lights), Pamela Bond (costumes), Tori Ralston (properties), and Marc Maximov (sound). Jen Bauer is the stage manager.

The theater will present post-performance discussions on Sunday, April 28 (with dramaturg Karen Blansfield and director Tom Marriott); Sunday, Mary 5 (with the cast and Karen O'Brien, professor of Irish drama at UNC); and Thursday, May 9 (Meet the Designers). Karen Blansfield will give a pre-show, "Meet the Play" talk on Friday, May 3, at 7 p.m. The Deep Dish Book Selection, The Pig Did It by Joseph Caldwell, will be discussed on Monday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Flyleaf Books.

Performances begin Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday (matinee) at 2 p.m. Deep Dish is located in Chapel Hill's University Mall, on Estes Drive and US 15-501.

Tickets are $21 adults and $19 seniors, regularly, with a $2 discount for Wednesday and Thursday shows. Student tickets are $14 for all performances. Wednesday, May 1 is "Cheap Dish Night" - all tickets are $10 (no reservations accepted). For reservations, call (919) 968-1515. For more information, visit www.deepdishtheater.org.

The Deep Dish Theater Company is committed to presenting compelling, human-centered dramatic work that contributes to the cultural richness of the Triangle area and challenges audiences to explore concerns of the community and the world-at-large.

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