Off-Broadway's Irish Repertory Theatre has extended their Friel Project, which presents a selection of the playwright's plays set in the fictional Irish town of Ballybeg. Initially intended to conclude with Philadelphia, Here I Come! (which begins performances March 16), the series will now conclude with a fourth production, Molly Sweeney.
Directed by Charlotte Moore (Aristocrats), Molly Sweeney will begin previews May 15, with opening night set for May 23. The limited run will continue through June 30.
The production will feature performers previously seen within the Friel Project's other productions, including Translations and The Aristocrats, who ran late last year and earlier this year. Molly Sweeney will feature Rufus Collins (Translations) as Mr. Rice, John Keating (Translations) as Frank Sweene,y and Sarah Street (Aristocrats) as Molly Sweeney.
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.
Molly Sweeney will feature set design by Charlie Corcoran (Philadelphia, Here I Come!) and lighting design by Michael Gottlieb (Philadelphia, Here I Come!). Additional creative team members will be announced at a later date.
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 with the Ulysses Medal from University College Dublin. Friel passed away in 2015.
For more information, visit IrishRep.org.