Mainstage Production
The Regional Premiere of
the Broadway Hit Spellbinder
THE SEAFARER
By Conor McPherson
Directed by Mark Routhier
November 5 – December 7 . 2008
Previews November 5 . 6 . 7
Opening November 8
No performances Thanksgiving Week
Adventures in Wine Tasting . Thursdays
Starring
Drew Battles
John Bostic
Jim Fitzmorris
Mark McLaughlin
Shad Willingham
Designers
Scenic . James Faerron
Lighting . James Clotfelter
Costumes . Kelly James-Penot
Sound . Mike Singleton
Production Stage Manager
Sarah Z. Singleton
On many theatre critics' Top Ten Lists last year was the darkly comic tall tale by award-winning Irish playwright Conor McPherson, THE SEAFARER. A gigantic hit on the West End and on Broadway, Southern Rep is pleased to bring this chillingly fun ghost story to New Orleans in time for some true holiday cheer.
It's a lonely Christmas Eve in North Dublin. Sharky Harkin and his blind brother Richard stock up on booze for some celebratory Christmas Eve poker. When their raffish old friends drop by with a dapper if darkly mystifying guest, the stakes become deadly serious. THE SEAFARER delves deep into devilry and how we find our way to redemption.
Nominations for “Best Play”
TONY AWARD . EVENING STANDARD AWARD . OLIVIER AWARD"…Succinct, startling and eerie, and the funniest McPherson play to date."
— London Observer"…Sparkling and suspenseful new play." – The Guardian
"…As unlikely as it sounds, 'The Seafarer' may just be the pick-me-up
play of the season" – The New York Times"…Splendidly written… – The New Yorker
THE PLAYWRIGHT . Conor McPherson is considered one of the finest contemporary Irish playwrights. His many plays have been performed internationally, most notably THE WEIR (Olivier Award, Best Play) and SHINING CITY (Tony Award nomination, Best Play) and THE SEAFARER, to high praise and big houses on Broadway and The West End. The New York Times dubbed McPherson "quite possibly the finest playwright of his generation." He also won the Evening Standard Award and Critics Circle Award.
THE DIRECTOR . As the recent Director of Artistic Development at the much-lauded Magic Theatre in San Francisco, Mark Routhier's passion is new plays. He recently directed Yussef el Guindi's Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes for Golden Thread, the first world premiere of a NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK CONTINUED LIFE PROJECT. With credits at Orlando Shakes and many SF area theatres including the Magic, Routhier often directs arresting new work and is also a playwright himself, with an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU. He is interim Executive Director for the National New Play Network (NNPN) and the Chair of the Literary Managers.
THE CAST . Drew Battles, playing our hero Sharky, recently moved from NYC where he was an in-demand actor appearing in new works and classics, including at his MFA alma mater, Trinity Rep. Cast as the hapless Ivan, John Bostic has performed leading roles in national tours, regionally and in Europe, as well as on the SRT’s stage. The well-known area playwright, actor and provocateur, Jim Fitzmorris, takes on the role of the other-worldly Mr. Lockhart. The actor’s actor, Mark McLaughlin, takes a star turn as Sharky’s hard-drinking brother Richard. McLaughlin has graced nearly every stage in the area for decades, including those of the CAC, Swine Palace, and Tulane Summer Shakespeare, to name a few. Shad Willingham plays Nicky, the ner-do-well, who rounds out our table of players. He’s newly arrived in NOLA, with regional and international credits, including six seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
THE WINE . Join us for ADVENTURES IN WINE TASTING. Thursday nights after opening, we’re getting together and tasting some lovely, specially chosen wines, provided by the Wine Institute New Orleans (W.I.N.O.). Come mingle with old friends and new. Dress is casual, the atmosphere will be light, and there will definitely be no tests – except those you want to give your taste buds.
Completely complimentary . RSVP appreciated but not required . 504.522.6545
7:15 – 7:45pm Thursday Nights . November 13, 20 & December 4
THE TALK . Sunday matinees include Talkbacks with the artists and special guests after the show.
November |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weds | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 5
8pm |
6
8pm |
7
8pm |
8
8pm |
9
3pm |
| 12 | 13
8pm |
14
8pm |
15
8pm |
16
3pm |
| 19 | 20
8pm |
21
8pm |
22
8pm |
23
3pm |
| 26 | 27
Thanksgiving no show |
28
no show |
29
no show |
30
no show |
December |
||||
| 3 | 4
8pm |
5
8pm |
6
8pm |
7
3pm |
Please note that there will be no performances the week of Thanksgiving.
TICKET PRICES VARY BY DAY OF PERFORMANCE
| Previews | $18 |
| Opening Night & reception | $35 |
| Thursdays & Sundays | $25 / $20 students (with ID) & seniors |
| Fridays & Saturdays | $27 / $22 students (with ID) & seniors |
| Every performance | $10 Student Rush (with ID) at door . Cash only . 15 minutes before curtain |
