OFF THE METER, ON THE RECORD Makes World Premiere Tonight at Irish Rep

Irish Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of OFF THE METER, ON THE RECORD, written and performed by John McDonagh (Producer of "Radio Free Eireann").

Directed by Ciarán O'Reilly (The Emperor Jones), OFF THE METER, ON THE RECORD begins performances tonight, October 6, 2017 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on the W. Scott McLucas Studio Stage, with an opening night set for October 17, 2017, and will run through November 5, 2017.

A comedic glimpse into 35 years behind the wheel of a New York City yellow taxi, OFF THE METER, ON THE RECORD is a pithy social commentary from New York's most recognizable cab driver about life spent behind the wheel. John McDonagh, veteran WBAI Radio host in NY, has condensed thirty plus years of activism, reality show antics and observation into a love song to the city that never sleeps. From the plight of the NYC homeless to the crazy demands of Upper East Side matrons, McDonagh brings the audience from laughter to tears and back again faster than the apparition of umbrella dealers on a rainy day. Throw in his tales of brushes with the rich and famous such as driving Stephen Fry to a Queens social club and teaching "Top Gear's" Richard Hammond how to drive a cab, and you have Irish storytelling at its best.

The will production feature scenic design by Charlie Corcoran (The Emperor Jones), lighting design by Michael O'Connor (The Pigeon in the Taj Mahal), and sound design by M. Florian Staab (Curvy Widow).

The performance schedule for OFF THE METER, ON THE RECORD is as follows: Wednesdays at 3pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Exceptions: there will be no 3pm performance on Wednesday, October 18.

Tickets to OFF THE METER, ON THE RECORD are available for $50.00. Tickets are on sale now through Irish Rep's box office by calling 212-727-2737, or online at www.irishrep.org.

JOHN McDONAGH (Playwright / Performer) is a playwright, cab driver, comic and political activist. Taxi Ride represents the culmination of a thirty-five-year career of driving a yellow cab while trying to make a difference in the world. He is currently producer and host of "Radio Free Eireann" and "Talk Back New York - We and Thee Edition" with Malachy McCourt and Corey Kilgannon, weekly radio shows heard on Pacifica station WBAI, New York. John began his career as a NYC Yellow cab driver after serving in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Vietnam War. He has been writing and performing at Caroline's, the Comic Strip, the Huntington Cinema Arts Center, NY Society for Ethical Culture, the Puffin Room SOHO, and Rocky Sullivan's pub among others. John is an active member of Irish American Writers and Artists. As a political activist, John was a monitor in the Nicaraguan elections in 1990; organized "Cabbies Against Bush" campaign in NYC during the 2004 Republican National Convention; was editor of the Irish People newspaper; hosted an Irish radio show in Perth, Australia; works with Veterans For Peace; and is the go-to voice of Irish American activism. John was featured in the BBC program "Steven Fry in America."

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 (2009 - Callaway Award; O'Neill Credo Award; Drama Desk, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nominations; 2017 - OBA Award); 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.

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