Irish Rep Extends AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD Through 9/27

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) has announced a one-week extension of its latest hit Cónal Creedon's AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD, two potent one-act plays exploring the fragile world of father/son relationships in contemporary Ireland, with performances now set through September 27.

Originally scheduled through September 20, AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD extends due to strong ticket sales and on the strength of reviews praising Mr. Creedon, as well as director Tim Ruddy and his cast: Gary Gregg, Colin Lane, and Michael Mellamphy.

In her New York Times review, Rachel Saltz called AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD "a nearly pitch-perfect production. The director, Tim Ruddy, keeps things simple...the excellent actors and Mr. Creedon's words are enough to create a world that is at once comic and dramatic, poetic and brutal." David Sheward, of Backstage, named the production a critic's pick, writing that "Tim Ruddy's production is full of fresh humor and intense conflict... the entire evening is a touching, heartbreaking look at fathers and sons." Jennifer Farrar, of the Associated Press, proclaimed Creedon's work as "satisfyingly action-packed, at times even turbulent." And in his Metro review, Michael Bracken called the show "a satisfying ride."

AFTER LUKE, set in the heyday of Ireland's recent boom, explores the greed-driven frenzy of the property market when one son returns from abroad and manipulates the sale of the home place. WHEN I WAS GOD is a searing drama of a father's heartbreaking expectations for his son in sports. We witness through the eyes of a ten-year-old the longings of a fanatical dad. On the field of dreams, the referee is God -- but what happens when God is made man?

AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD has set design by Lex Liang, costumes by David Toser, lighting design by Brian Nason, and sound design by Shannon Slaton.

This fall, Irish Rep follows AFTER LUKE and WHEN I WAS GOD with Eugene O'Neill's THE EMPEROR JONES, starring John Douglas Thompson -- winner of OBIE and Lucille Lortel awards for his work in last season's acclaimed revival of OTHELLO and currently receiving raves for his work in Shakespeare & Company's THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW. Performances of THE EMPEROR JONES are set for October 7 through November 29 (opening October 18). Ciarán O'Reilly, whose direction of O'Neill's THE HAIRY APE earned him Drama Desk, Drama League and Callaway award nomination, will direct.

Charlotte Moore is the Artistic Director of Irish Repertory Theatre; Ciarán O'Reilly is Producing Director.

Now scheduled through September 27, performances of AFTER LUKE & WHEN I WAS GOD run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $65 and $55, and can be purchased by calling (212) 727-2737 or at the Irish Repertory Theatre box office (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues). For more information, visit www.irishrep.org

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