Molly Sweeney Officially Opens Off-Broadway at Irish Rep May 23

Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Molly Sweeney, part of their extended Friel Project, officially opens Off-Broadway May 23.

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.

The production features 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 Sweeney 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 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 with the Ulysses Medal from University College Dublin. Friel passed away in 2015.

For more information, visit IrishRep.org.