Making its New York premiere, Chester Bailey by Emmy winner Joseph Dougherty (thirtysomething, My Favorite Year) will take the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage Off-Broadway at Irish Repertory, with previews beginning October 12. The play will officially open October 19 and run through November 13.
Starring will be father and son duo Tony winner Reed Birney (The Humans) and Ephraim Birney (The Americans).
The World War II-set work follows a young man, Chester Bailey, recovering from the war under the care of Dr. Philip Cotton, an older and also-wounded man who is meant to help Bailey accept reality.
Ron Lagomarsino (Driving Miss Daisy) will direct, leading a creative team which will feature scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Toni Leslie-James, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, and sound design by Brendan Aanes. April Ann Kline serves as the production stage manager.
Chester Bailey received its first reading at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre in 2012. Another reading followed in 2015 at Irish Rep, leading to a workshop and a 2016 world premiere at American Conservatory Theatre. Both Reed and Ephraim Birney have starred in productions at West Virginia’s Contemporary American Theatre Festival and Massachusetts’ Barrington Stage Company.
For tickets and more information, visit IrishRep.org.