Irish Classical Theatre Company
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2006-2007 Season: A Man of No Importance September 8 - October 8 A delightful musical filled with sparkling wit and heartfelt emotion. This enchanting and poignant musical tells of a Dublin dreamer, a stage-struck bus conductor obsessed with producing the works of Oscar Wilde. Stage and screenwriter Terrence McNally (The Full Monty) is reunited with his Ragtime collaborators, lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty, in this hugely entertaining musical journey. Directed by Brother Augustine Towey, A Man of No Importance features ARTIE Award winning actor Brian Riggs in the lead role of Alfie. The stellar cast of twenty-one also includes audience favorites Loraine O'Donnell, Lisa Ludwig, Guy Balotine, Joe Natale, Kelli Bocock-Natale, Tom Zindle and Maggie Zindle. Musicians Mary Ramsey and Brian Eckenrode will perform live under the direction of Nathan Matthews. Long Day's Journey into Night October 27 - November 26 Considered one of the most brilliant works in the history of the American theatre and O'Neill's greatest dramatic achievement, Long Day's Journey into Night is a moving and unflinching portrayal of his family. This "play of old sorrows," filled with love and empathy for the haunted Tyrones, expresses universal longings as it transcends O'Neill's personal redemption. This courageous and memorable play reminds us that we, too, can find meaning in our lives as we confront our ghosts with love, understanding and forgiveness. Directed by ICTC Associate Director Fortunato Pezzimenti, Long Day's Journey into Night features Paul Falzone as James Tyrone; Diane Gaidry as Mary Cavan Tyrone, Christian Brandjes as James Tyrone, Jr., Michael Providence as Edmund Tyrone and Sara Kovecsi as Cathleen. The Birthday Party January 12 - February 11 The 2005 Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter's first full-length comedy of menace. A birthday party for a boarder at a seedy seaside house turns into an ominous, threatening and dark celebration of the incomprehensible forces that ultimately reduce his to a gibbering fool. In a linguistic tour de force, Pinter's themes of alienation and surrealistic confusions are reminiscentÊof the great comic absurdist traditions of Beckett and Ionesco. Directed by ICTC Associate Director Greg Natale, The Birthday Party features Gerry Maher as Petey, ICTC Artist in Residence Josephine Hogan as Meg, Todd Benzin as Stanley, Leah Russo as Lulu, ICTC Co-Founder and Artistic Director Vincent O'Neill as Goldberg and Guy Wagner as McCann. Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme March 2 - April 1 A powerful and harrowing yet subtle drama about eight men, volunteers in the 36th Ulster Division of Northern Ireland, who have been chastened by the savagery of battle during the First World War. The platoon is forever forged together by the bonds of their common sacrifice - in love, honor and remembrance. This is a unique opportunity to see one of Ireland's finest modern dramas. Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme is directed by ICTC Associate Director Derek Campbell and features Jim Mohr as Kennety Pyper, Sr., Brendan Powers as Kenneth Pyper, Jr., Michael Providence as David Craig, Max Gukhman as John Millen, Tim Eimiller as William Moore, Guy Balotine as Christopher Roulston, David Autovino as Martin Crawford, Christian Brandjes as George Anderson and Joe Weins as Nat McIlwaine. Blithe Spirit April 20 - May 20 Elvira, Charles Condomine's first wife who is now a ghost, decides to visit Charles and his very real second wife Ruth. What follows is Coward's brilliant and hilarious improbable farce about an eccentric lady medium and an astral bigamist. Floating vases and the spirit world find expression in this clever and cockeyed comedy. Irresistible Coward at his best! Directed by Vincent O'Neill and Brian Cavanagh, Blithe Spirit will feature Brian Mysliwy as Charles, Kristen Tripp Kelley as Ruth, Dawn Woollacott as Elvira, Kathleen Betsko-Yale as Mrs. Bradman, Gerry Maher as Dr. Bradman and Susan Drozd as Edith. Sophie Tucker Last of the Red Hot Mamas June 1 - June 24 Directed by Lisa Ludwig Presented in collaboration with MusicalFare, this critically acclaimed MusicalFare production stars Kelli Bocock-Natale as Sophie Tucker, the big, brassy, caustic "Last of the Red Hot Mamas." A rollicking tribute to the vaudvillian singer and comic! It's as warm and heartfelt as it is outrageously flirtatious and bawdy.

The remarkable growth and artistic success of the Irish Classical Theatre Company is founded on its mission: "To present the greatest works of dramatic literature: international classics; modern plays of exceptional merit; and Irish plays, both traditional and contemporary. To produce them at the highest level of artistic excellence for the public of Buffalo, Western New York and Southern Ontario, and subsequently, for National and International audiences." The seeds of the Irish Classical Theatre Company were planted in 1985 when two Dublin-born brothers, internationally acclaimed actors and former members of Ireland's celebrated Abbey Theatre, found themselves in Buffalo, performing Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in the dining room of a local hotel. They were enthusiastically embraced by the Western New York audience and one of the brothers, the late Chris O'Neill, was so taken with the extraordinary reception of the play that he resolved to take up residence in Buffalo. Later, he persuaded his younger brother, Vincent, to join him. The brothers, together with another Dubliner, Dr. James Warde, saw an opportunity to present to Western New York and Southern Ontario. In 1990, they founded the Irish Classical Theatre Company, performing on various rented stages until a permanent home was established at the Calumet Arts Cafe. ICTC's glowing reputation for artistic excellence and community involvement soon made it the fastest growing theatre company in the region and led to the building of its new home, the Andrews Theatre, which opened its doors in January of 1999. Now entering its 16th Season, the Irish Classical Theatre Company's international roots are reflected not just by its choice of repertoire. Throughout its existence, ICTC has invited internationally known artists to come to Buffalo to direct, appear with and be honored by the Company.

Website: http://www.irishclassicaltheatre.com/

Address: Irish Classical Theatre Company Andrews Theatre 625 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14203 Box Office - 716- 853-ICTC Administration - 716- 853-1380

What's nearby: Comfort Suites Downtown 601 Main St - Buffalo, NY, United States 14203 Hyatt Regency Buffalo 2 Fountain Plz - Buffalo, NY, United States 14202 Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo/Downtown 220 Delaware Ave - Buffalo, NY, United States 14202

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