Photo Flash: Atlantic Theater's 'Port Authority'

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Managing Director) announced the New York premiere production of Olivier Award® winning playwright Conor McPherson's play Port Authority, directed by Henry Wishcamper and featuring Tony Award® nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Sweet Smell of Success), Tony Award® winner John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening) and Olivier Award® winner Jim Norton (The Seafarer).

Port Authority began previews Wednesday, April 30th, open Wednesday, May 21st and play a limited engagement through Sunday, June 15th, 2008 Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company at the Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).

Set against the backdrop of contemporary Dublin, Port Authority weaves the stories of three generations of Irishmen as they experience loss, failure and the elusiveness of love as Conor McPherson (The Seafarer, Shining City,The Weir) exposes the heart of the common man with his customary wit and compassion.

Port Authority marks the return of Olivier Award® winning and Tony Award® nominated playwright Conor McPherson to Atlantic, where his play Dublin Carol received an award winning American premiere production. He is currently represented on Broadway with the acclaimed West End transfer of The Seafarer. Henry Wishcamper has served as assistant director on the Broadway productions of August: Osage County and Conor McPherson's Shining City. His recent directing credits include Horton Foote's Talking Pictures at The Goodman Theatre and the New York premiere of Jane Martin's Flags.

Port Authority marks the return of three celebrated actors to the Atlantic stage. Brian d'Arcy James last appeared at Atlantic in the American premiere of The Lieutenant of Inishmore, and reprised his role with the Broadway transfer. He will star in the title role in Shrek The Musical, when it debuts next season on Broadway. John Gallagher, Jr. originated the role of "Moritz" in Atlantic's world premiere of the musical Spring Awakening, and won a Tony Award® for his performance when the hit musical transferred to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway. Jim Norton won an Obie Award for his performance in McPherson's Dublin Carol at Atlantic, and is now starring on Broadway in the playwright's The Seafarer, for which he won a 2007 Oliver Award® in the West End production.

The design team for Port Authority will feature scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Jenny Mannis, lighting design by Matthew Richards and sound design by Bart Fasbender.

For more information visit www.atlantictheater.org  

John Gallagher, Jr., Jim Norton, and Brian d'Arcy James

John Gallagher, Jr., Jim Norton, and Brian d'Arcy James

Photos by Doug Hamilton.