Little Gem, starring Marsha Mason, extends at Irish Rep

Elaine Murphy's Little Gem will now play its final performance at the Irish Repertory Theatre on September 8, 2019.

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced a 1-week extension for its current production of Little Gem, written by Elaine Murphy and directed by Marc Atkinson Borrull, which began previews on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage on July 17, 2019, before officially opening on July 25 (read our 4* review). The play will now run through September 8, 2019 (instead of September 1).

The cast of Little Gem includes four-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Golden Globe Award winner Marsha Mason (as Kay), Brenda Meaney (as Lorraine), and Lauren O'Leary (as Amber).

Synopsis: "One year can bring extraordinary change; just ask Amber, Lorraine and Kay, three generations of North Dublin women who find themselves suddenly facing the unexpected in Elaine Murphy's Little Gem. Young Amber's case of indigestion - or perhaps it's a brutal hangover? - grows into something more, while her mother Lorraine discovers salsa dancing after an incident at work leads to therapist-suggested self-care. Grandmother Kay, "on the wrong side of sixty, but not dead yet," struggles to take care of a personal itch while adjusting to life as a caretaker for her beloved Gem. As the year moves forward, the women confront their individual challenges with courage and humor, finding strength in one another and discovering the beauty and complexity of family."

The creative team behind Little Gem features scenic design by Meredith Ries, costume design by Christopher Metzger, lighting design by Michael O'Connor, and sound design by Ryan Rumery.

Little Gem originally premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2008, before transferring to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and finally staging its US premiere at The Flea Theater in January 2010.

^{(Photo by Carol Rosegg)}