Reviews: What Do Critics Think of Molly Sweeney at Irish Rep?

Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Molly Sweeney, part of the company's extended Friel Project, officially opened Off-Broadway May 23, and the reviews are rolling in.

The project, which presents a selection of the playwright's plays set in the fictional Irish town of Ballybeg, was initially intended to conclude with Philadelphia, Here I Come! Directed by Charlotte Moore (Aristocrats), Molly Sweeney will run through June 30, having begun performances May 15.

Centering on the blind Molly and her restlessly enthusiastic husband Frank, consequences unfold when the once-famous surgeon Mr. Rice restores her sight for the first time since she was 10 months old. Inadvertently causing a collision between seeing and understanding in the face of a medical miracle, Irish Rep previously produced a digital production of the play during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Read the reviews below.

New York Stage Review (David Finkle)

New York Stage Review (Sandy MacDonald)

TheaterMania (Rachel Graham)

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Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.

The production features performers previously seen within the Friel Project's other productions, including Translations and The Aristocrats. Molly Sweeney features Rufus Collins (Translations) as Mr. Rice, John Keating (Translations) as Frank Sweeney, and Sarah Street (Aristocrats) as Molly Sweeney.

Molly Sweeney features set design by Charlie Corcoran (Philadelphia, Here I Come!) and lighting design by Michael Gottlieb (Philadelphia, Here I Come!).

Born in 1929, Friel wrote over 30 plays across six decades. Considered one of Ireland's greatest playwrights, he was recognized for his talent during his lifetime including the Ulysses Medal from University College Dublin. Friel passed away in 2015.

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