Jaki McCarrick's Belfast Girls will make its New York premiere at Irish Repertory Theatre. Previews begin May 11 with opening night set for May 19. The limited engagement will run through June 26 on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage Off-Broadway.
The work follows five young women setting out on their own as they sail from Belfast, Ireland to Sydney, Australia in 1850, as they realize they cannot escape the lives they think they are leaving behind. Developed at the National Theatre Studio in London in 2012, productions have previously been mounted in Chicago, Portland, and Pittsburgh. Nicola Murphy will direct, with cast and additional creative team to be announced at a later date.
Also announced for this spring is Two By Synge: In the Shadow of the Glen & The Tinker's Wedding. Previews begin April 13 on the W. Scott McLucas Studio Stage. April 24 will be its official opening with a limited run scheduled to continue through May 22.
Directed by Charlotte Moore, the work brings two early works by John Millington Synge together. The cast features Ciaran Bowling, Terry Donnelly, Sean Gormley, John Keating, and Jo Kinsella.
Rounding out the creative team, Daniel Geggatt will serve as scenic designer, David Toser as costume designer, Michael O'Connor as lighting designer, and Christine Lemme as production stage manager. The production will also feature original music and sound design by Nathanael Brown.
In the Shadow of the Glen and The Tinker's Wedding both explore the lives of poor Irish peasants at the turn of the twentieth century in a celebration of Ireland's rural populations, particularly its resilient women.
For tickets and more information, visit IrishRep.org.