The Drama Desk-nominated company is "dedicated to presenting neglected or rarely produced plays of literary merit." Written in 1968 and first presented in the U.S. at Lincoln Center in a production that featured Art Carney, Lovers was Tony Award-nominated for Best Play. Friel's body of work includes Philadelphia, Here I Come, Dancing at Lughnasa and Translations.
Under the direction of Drew Barr, the cast will include TACT company members Nora Chester (TACT's The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, The Triangle Factory Fire Project) as Mrs. Wilson, Cynthia Darlow (Broadway's Billy Elliott, TACT's The Runner Stumbles) as Cissy and Justine Salata (NYSF's As You Like It, TACT's The Admiral Crichton) as Mag, as well as guest artists Kati Brazda (Broadway's A Moon for the Misbegotten, Off-Broadway's Our Town) as Woman/Hannah, James Riordan (Broadway's Jerusalem, The Elephant Man) as Man/Andrew and Cameron Scoggins (Off-Broadway's The Big Meal) as Joe.
Here's how TACT bills the experience: "Set in contemporary Ireland, Lovers tells the tales of two very different couples, both at the beginning of their romantic journeys together, yet each from very different perspectives and with very different outcomes. This beautiful and intimate work is filled with Friel's characteristic poetic lilt and devilish humor. Hailed as the 'Irish Chekhov,' Friel is considered to be one of the greatest living English-language playwrights."
Lovers is the first production of the company's 20th anniversary season. Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre is at 410 W. 42nd Street between 9th & 10th Avenues. Performances will continue to Oct. 20.
The creative team includes Brett J. Banakis (sets), Kim Krumm Sorenson (costumes), TACT company member Mary Louise Geiger (lights), Daniel Kluger (sound & original music) and Lauren Madden (properties). TACT company member Michael Friedlander is production stage manager and Alex Mark is assistant stage manager.
Lovers will play the following performance schedule Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 & 8 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. There will be a special matinee performance on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 2 PM.
Tickets are $20-$58 and are available by visiting www.telecharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200.
To learn more about TACT, visit tactnyc.org or call (212) 645-8228.
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TACT is under the leadership of co-artistic directors Scott Alan Evans, Cynthia Harris and Jenn Thompson.
