THE EMPEROR JONES, Starring Obi Abili, Starts Tonight at Irish Rep

Irish Repertory Theatre presents Eugene O'Neill's The Emperor Jones, directed by Ciarán O'Reilly (Shining City), and starring Obi Abili (Ivo Van Hove's Antigone at BAM). THE EMPEROR JONES begins performances tonight, March 1, 2017 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage, opens on March 12, and runs through April 23, 2017.

Joining the previously announced Obi Abili (Antigone; Gambit) as Brutus Jones will be William Bellamy (Finian's Rainbow) as Ensemble, Carl Hendrick Louis (The Cherry Orchard) as Lem/Ensemble, Sinclair Mitchell (The Lion King) as Witch Doctor, Angel Moore (A Raisin in the Sun) as Camae, Andy Murray (War Horse) as Henry Smithers, and Reggie Talley (Stomp) as Ensemble.

Eugene O'Neill's groundbreaking play The Emperor Jones is the story of Brutus Jones, a despot who ascends the throne using lies, intimidation and the politics of fear. Following a prison break in the United States, Jones sets himself up as monarch of a Caribbean island. When the Natives rebel after years of exploitation, Jones's mesmerizing journey into darkness becomes a terrifying psychological portrayal of power, fear, and madness. With his demons in heavy pursuit, the Emperor is forced to confront not just the mortal sins of his past but also the depravities against his ancestors-all in search of forgiveness and salvation.

The production features choreography by Barry McNabb (Finian's Rainbow), lighting design by Brian Nason (Donnybrook!), set design by Charlie Corcoran (Shining City), costume design by Antonia Ford Roberts (The Sounding) and Whitney Locher (Into the Woods), sound design and music by Ryan Rumery (The Pigeon in the Taj Mahal) & M. Florian Staab (Shining City), additional music by Christian Frederickson (The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois), and puppet and mask design by Bob Flanagan ("Saturday Night Live").

Irish Rep previously staged The Emperor Jones in a 2009 production, directed by O'Reilly.

The performance schedule for The Emperor Jones is as follows: Wednesdays at 3pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets to The Emperor Jones range from $50-$70 and are on sale now through Irish Rep's box office by calling 212-727-2737, or online at www.irishrep.org.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Obi Abili (Brutus Jones) comes to New York from London where he starred in The Globe Theatre's production of Titus Andronicus and the Old Vic production of Six Degrees of Separation. Obi is a RADA trained actor who Screen International named a "Star of Tomorrow" in 2010. Recent US appearances include opposite Juliette Binoche in Ivo Van Hove's production of Antigone at BAM. Obi has a major supporting role in the upcoming feature film London Fields opposite Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton and Theo James. He had a leading role in the film Tula: The Revolt opposite Danny Glover and was also seen opposite Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz in Gambit. Obi was a regular on several UK miniseries including "The Take" with Tom Hardy, "Injustice" with James Purefoy, "Moses Jones" with Eamonn Walker, and "The Nativity" with Tatiana Maslany. He has guest starred on the Cinemax series "Strike Back" and BBC's "Foyle's War." UK THEATRE: Play House (Orange Tree); Sixty-Six Books: Beardy (Bush Theatre); Dido, Queen of Carthage (National Theatre); The Brothers Size (Young Vic); Angels In America (Glasgow Citizens/Hammersmith Lyric); Darfur: How Long is Never, Fabulation (Tricycle).

William Bellamy (Ensemble). William is thrilled to be returning to Irish Rep. Favorite credits include "Larry" in A Chorus Line (Dir. Baayork Lee) and Widow Douglas in Big River (Lake Dillon Theatre Company). Pace University MT Class of 2016. Proud member of AEA.

CARL Hendrick Louis (Lem/Ensemble). Broadway: The Cherry Orchard (Roundabout Theatre Company). Off-Broadway: The Tempest (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Little Children Dream of God (Roundabout Theatre Company), The King's Whore (Walkerspace), In Fields Where They Lay (Hudson Guild Theatre); Marat/Sade (Classical Theatre of Harlem). Regional: Sunset Baby (Kitchen Theatre Company). Film: Fan Girl, Unknown Soldier. Education: NYU's Graduate Acting Program and Fordham University's Theatre Program

Sinclair Mitchell (Witch Doctor) is overjoyed to be a part of the Irish Rep's family once again, reprising his role from the 2009 production. A graduate of CCM, Sinclair's credits include Broadway: The Lion King. Off-Broadway: Harlem Song, Dir. George C. Wolf. Tours: The Producers, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret, The Lion King. Regional: The Wiz, Once on This Island, To Kill a Mockingbird, Hair, Pippin, and Violet, to name a few. Sinclair was also a part of the Olympic torch relay team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Sinclair would like to thank Renee and Joe at About Artists Agency for their constant pushes on his behalf. Sinclair's love and thoughts go out to his beautiful family in Florida and West New York. Love to Joey and all thanks to God for without his grace there would not be. Enjoy the show!

Angel Moore (Camae) is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is making her Irish Repertory Theatre debut. Some of her favorite credits include A Raisin in the Sun, Intimate Apparel, A Song for Coretta, And I And Silence, Repairing A Nation, and The Mountaintop. She received her BA from Alabama State University and her MFA from Rutgers Mason Gross School for the Arts.

Andy Murray (Henry Smithers). Broadway: War Horse at Lincoln Center. Regional: McCarter, Yale Rep, Shakespeare Theatre Company DC, Baltimore Centerstage, American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Rep, Seattle Rep, California Shakespeare Theater, Magic Theatre, Kansas City Rep, San Jose Rep, Marin Theater Co, Shakespeare Santa Cruz and others. Film: Run All Night, Aloft. TV: "Wormwood," "House of Cards," "Daredevil," "The Knick," "Forever," "The Blacklist," "Person of Interest," "Law and Order CI," "Elementary," "Deadbeat," "One Life to Live," "Nash Bridges."

Reggie Talley (Ensemble). Reggie made his Off-Broadway premiere as the lead comedic role in the International hit show Stomp. While working with Stomp, Reggie toured in over 35+ countries as well as performed in the 2012 London Olympic Closing ceremonies. Reggie is a professional dancer, percussionist, and acrobat. Reggie is the owner of Due Season Productions, with the first film Brave winning Best Narrative Feature at the Hip Hop Film Festival NYC. Reggie would like to thank God for his many blessings and his family for their constant support. Jagociro.COM

CIARÁN O'REILLY (Director) has helmed Irish Rep's productions of The Dead, 1904; Shining City; The Weir (Lucille Lortel and Callaway Award nominations); The Emperor Jones (Callaway Award; O'Neill Credo Award; Drama Desk, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nominations); The Hairy Ape (Drama Desk, Drama League and Callaway nominations); Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Drama Desk nomination); the world pre­miere of Banished Children of Eve; as well as the recent productions of Sea Marks, Port Authority, and The Quare Land, among others. As an actor, he has been seen in the Irish Rep productions of Da, Juno and the Paycock, Dancing at Lughnasa, Molly Sweeney, Aristocrats, A Whistle in the Dark, The Shaughraun, and The Irish and How They Got That Way. He also appeared in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of A Touch of the Poet with Gabriel Byrne; at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin; and made his Broadway debut in The Corn is Green. He has been honored three times by Irish America Magazine with the Irish America "Top 100 Irish" Award.

IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE, co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars. The Irish Rep is currently the only year-round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage. Recognized with the Jujamcyn Theatres Award, a special Drama Desk Award for "Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama," an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement, and the Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Body of Work," the Irish Rep has celebrated the very best in Irish theatre for over twenty-five years, from the masters to the new generation of Irish and Irish American writers who are transforming the stage. Nearly 38,000 audience members annually attend productions at our theatre located in the heart of New York's Off Broadway community. Once here, they witness the Irish Rep's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.