The U.S. premiere of The Same by Irish playwright Enda Walsh (Once) begins performances at the new Irish Arts Center February 16, ahead of a February 20 opening. Pat Kiernan directs the work, produced by the Cork-based theatre company Corcadorca, which specializes in site-specific works. The Same runs through March 6.
Sisters Catherine Walsh and Eileen Walsh star in the psychological drama as two women, both named Lisa, who discover they have more in common than just their name. The play—written specifically for the Walsh sisters to perform—made its premiere in 2017 in a site-specific production at the decommissioned Old Cork prison. The production has been adapted for an immersive setting at Irish Arts Center.
Enda Walsh is a Tony winner for the book of the 2012 musical Once and book writer for the Broadway-aimed Sing Street, opening in August at Boston's Huntington Theatre.
The Same features a set design by Owen Boss, lighting design by Michael Hurley, and sound design and original music by Peter Power, with sound engineering by Anthony Hanley. Rob Furey serves as production manager, and Aoife Clarke is stage manager. It is produced by Rachel Gleeson with Maura O’Keeffe and Edie Demas.
For more information, visit IrishArtsCenter.org.