'Take Me Along' by Stein & Russell Opens at Irish Rep 2/28

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd St.) will begin previews of Joseph Stein and Robert Russell's unabashedly romantic, Take Me Along, (based on Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness) with lush, moving American music and lyrics, written by Tony Award nominated Robert Merrill on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. The production will open on Thursday, February 28, 2008. Charlotte Moore directs. Music Direction is by Mark Hartman.

"Take Me Along takes place in Centerville, Connecticut in a happy time.  It's the Fourth of July and the flags are flying!  Sid Davis, the profligate brother returns from Waterbury hiding a secret which will affect the whole Miller family. Richard, the seventeen year old self-named romantic poetry devotee pledges his troth to Muriel, his sixteen year-old swain with the cry, "Live, Muriel, Live!!!" That's before he is caught proposing not only marriage, but suggestions of a more immediate intimacy," explain press notes, "Mirroring the teenagers, a somewhat more mature relationship flounders when Sid arrives "high as a kite" and unable to keep his date with the beautiful Lily who broke off their troubled marriage plans a decade ago. The Miller family came to Eugene O'Neill in a dream...his words...a dream that O'Neill treasured as the family he always wished for.  A far cry from the Tyrone's of Long Day's Journey Into Night, but with the same brilliant intensity turned crisp and bright instead of the nightmare of the real life he lived."

The cast features Anastasia Barzee, Donna Bullock, Dewey Caddell, Teddy Eck, Beth Glover, Justin Packard, William Parry, Noah Ruff, Emily Skeggs, Gordon Stanley, and Don Stephenson.

Set Design is by James Morgan, Linda Fisher is the Costume Designer, Lighting Design is by Mary Jo Dondlinger, Sound Design is by Zachary Williamson, Choreography by Barry McNabb, and Wig and Hair Design by Robert-Charles Vallance. The Stage Manger is Rhonda Picou.  Assistant Stage Manager is Arthur Atkinson. Charlotte Moore, Artistic Director, Ciarán O'Reilly, Producing Director, Patrick A. Kelsey, Managing Director.

Performances of Take Me Along are Wednesday - Saturday at 8 PM.  Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets go on sale January 2, 2008.  Tickets are $60 and $55 and can be purchased by calling The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737.  (For group sales of 20 or more contact Jen Nelson at (212) 255-0270 x22.) For more information, call (212) 727-2737 or visit www.irishrep.org

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