1st Irish Festival Returns To New York In September

Featuring a wide spectrum a works by 21 contemporary Irish playwrights spanning many theatrical sensibilities, 1st Irish 2009, takes place in a total of 12 New York City theatres, and arts and culture-related venues.

Approximately 375 writers, actors, designers and stage managers from here and abroad will participate. 

Among the prominent New York non-profits presenting new work in their own theatres are 59E59 Theaters (on two stages), The Irish Repertory Theatre (on two stages), The Mint, and The Vineyard Theatre.

Most of the more than two dozen plays and performances will be American and New York premieres.

Two theatre companies are traveling from Ireland - Fishamble: The New Play Company presents Sebastian Barry's "The Pride of Parnell Street" at 59E59 Theaters (a New York premiere); and the Wexford Arts Center, presents "Tales from Rainwater Pond," written and performed by Billy Roche, at the Irish Repertory Theatre (an American premiere). 

Another trans-Atlantic migration, direct from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, is "LUCK," Megan Riordan's fascinating account of growing up under the tutelage of a professional Las Vegas gambler, produced by Juicy MoMo Productions and running at 59E59 Theaters.

There will be five world premieres - five short plays commissioned by Origin Theatre Company, by five of Ireland's top women playwrights (four are based in Ireland). 

Grouped under the title "Spinning the Times," and directed by M. Burke Walker, these are five perspectives on - and reactions to - the New York media machine.  Two additional US-based companies specializing in Irish theatre will travel to New York. 

The Irish Classical Theatre Company travels from its home in Buffalo to bring "The Cobbler" by Bryan Delaney, while the Inis Nua Theatre Company (which hails from Philadelphia) comes to town with "Trad" by Mark Doherty.

Several other distinguished host locations include the NY Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, The Players Club, The Players Theater, Manhattan Theatre Source, the Gene Frankel Theatre, NYU's Glucksman Ireland House, Borders Bookstore at Columbus Circle, and the American Irish Historical Society. 

One site specific production, "Beyond the Pale," presented by Gad's Hill Theatre Co., takes place at St. Peter's Rectory in Chelsea, which doubles as an Irish manor house.

A work for children, produced by Literally Alive Children's Theatre, is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's short story fairy tale "The Selfish Giant," directed and adapted by Brenda Bell and presented at The Players Theater in Greenwich Village.

The funding support for 1st Irish 2009 is provided by the Festival Sponsors: the Irish Consulate NY; the Northern Ireland Bureau; Tourism Ireland; the American Ireland Fund; Culture Ireland; Mutual of America; The Irish Examiner; Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty; Tina Santi Flaherty; McVicker & Higginbotham, and the NY State Council for the Arts.  The Event Sponsors include The Irish Arts Council; Dublin City Council, and Wexford City Council.