Irish Rep Extends LITTLE GEM, Plus Casting for KINGFISHERS CATCH FIRE

Irish Repertory Theatre announced today an extension for Little Gem by Elaine Murphy (Shush) and directed by Marc Atkinson Borrull (Outlying Islands). Little Gem began previews on July 17, 2019 on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage and opened July 25 and will now play through September 8, 2019.

One year can bring extraordinary change; just ask Amber, Lorraine and Kay, three generations of North Dublin women who find themselves suddenly facing the unexpected in Elaine Murphy's Little Gem. Young Amber's case of indigestion - or perhaps it's a brutal hangover? - grows into something more, while her mother Lorraine discovers salsa dancing after an incident at work leads to therapist-suggested self-care. Grandmother Kay, "on the wrong side of sixty, but not dead yet," struggles to take care of a personal itch while adjusting to life as a caretaker for her beloved Gem. As the year moves forward, the women confront their individual challenges with courage and humor, finding strength in one another and discovering the beauty and complexity of family.

The cast of Little Gem includes four-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Golden Globe Award winner Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl) as Kay, Brenda Meaney(Party Face) as Lorraine, and Lauren O'Leary (The Awkward Years) as Amber.

Little Gem features set design by Meredith Ries (Cute Activist), costume design by Christopher Metzger (Life Sucks), lighting design by Michael O'Connor (Two by Friel), and sound design by Ryan Rumery (Be More Chill). Arthur Atkinson (Juno and the Paycock) serves as Production Stage Manager.

Irish Rep also announced casting for the World Premiere of Kingfishers Catch Fire, by Robin Glendinning (Jennifer's Holiday), directed by Kent Paul (Lost in Yonkers).Kingfishers Catch Fire begins performances in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre on September 11, 2019, with opening night set for September 22, for a limited run through October 20, 2019.

The cast of Kingfishers Catch Fire will include Sean Gormley (Rebel in the Soul) as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty and Haskell King (Please Continue) as Herbert Kappler.

It's 1948 when Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty first visits the infamous Nazi Herbert Kappler in the Italian prison where Kappler is serving a life sentence for crimes against humanity. During World War II, the men were adversaries; Kappler was the head of the Gestapo in German-occupied Rome, and Monsignor O'Flaherty was using the cover of Vatican neutrality to shelter and arrange for the escape of thousands of Allied servicemen and Jewish civilians. Kappler placed a bounty on O'Flaherty's head, but O'Flaherty evaded capture, earning the nickname "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican." When these two men meet after the war, profound questions of responsibility and redemption rattle the cages. Based on a true story, Kingfishers Catch Fire examines morality and personal culpability for actions taken during a devastating war.

Kingfishers Catch Fire will feature set design by Edward Morris, costume design by Linda Fisher, lighting design by Matthew McCarthy, and sound design by Rob Rees.

The performance schedule for Little Gem and Kingfishers Catch Fire 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 Little Gem range from $45 - $70. Tickets to Kingfishers Catch Fire range from $45-50. Both are available through Irish Rep's box office at 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org. A block of tickets for Kingfishers Catch Fire preview performances will go on sale at noon two weeks before first preview for $22 each. This $22 on 22nd Street initiative will be made available for all Irish Rep productions.