The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Linda Gross Theater

Atlantic Theater Company and Druid reteam in presenting Academy Award winner and four-time Tony Award nominee Martin McDonagh�s play, The Cripple of Inishmaan, directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes, following its UK tour.

The cast of The Cripple of Inishmaan transfers intact in bringing the production to New York and features Kerry Condon, Andrew Connolly, Laurence Kinlan, Dearbhla Molloy, Aaron Monaghan, Tony Award winner Marie Mullen (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Patricia O�Connell, David Pearse and John C. Vennema.

The Cripple of Inishmaan revives the relationship between Atlantic Theater Company, Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh, Tony Award winning director Garry Hynes and the acclaimed Druid ensemble.

This production marks the third collaboration between Atlantic and McDonagh following the company�s critically acclaimed American premiere production of 'The Lieutenant Of Inishmore,' which transferred to Broadway and received five 2006 Tony Award nominations, including Best Play.

Atlantic and Druid previously collaborated on the world premiere of McDonagh�s 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane,' which transferred to Broadway and won four 1998 Tony Awards: Best Actress in a Play (Marie Mullen), Best Featured Actor in a Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play and Best Direction of a Play, as well as being nominated for Best Play.

The Cripple of Inishmaan opens at the at Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theater on 21 Dec 2008, following previews from 9 Dec, for a limited engagement playing through to 1 Feb 2009.

Atlantic Artistic Director Neil Pepe said: �Atlantic has had a long and extraordinary collaboration with Martin McDonagh beginning with his American premiere in 1998. We are thrilled to be welcoming him back, along with the remarkable Garry Hynes and the Druid Theatre for this exciting revival.�

Druid Artistic Director Garry Hynes remarked �I�m delighted to be embarking on this collaboration with Martin again following our very successful journey with The Leenane Trilogy. I am particularly proud to be working with such an excellent cast and creative team on this Irish-American co-production which will see us return to the Atlantic Theater Company where 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane' had its U.S. premiere�.

The Cripple of Inishmaan is set in 1934 on an island off the west coast of Ireland, Hollywood filmmaker Robert Flaherty arrives on the neighboring island of Inishmore to film his movie The Man of Aran and excitement ripples through the sleepy community of Inishmaan. For orphaned Billy Claven, who has been relentlessly scorned by the island�s inhabitants, the film represents an escape from the poverty of his existence. He vies for a part in the film, and to everyone�s surprise, it is the cripple who gets his chance.

Martin McDonagh�s other theater credits include 'The Leenane Trilogy' and 'The Pillowman,' which received six 2005 Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. His film credits include the short film 'Six Shooter' for which he won an Academy Award in 2006, and most recently the film 'In Bruges' starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes, which he also directed.

Garry Hynes returns to Atlantic, where she directed 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane,' prior to its Broadway transfer. In 1998, she earned the distinction of becoming the first woman to receive a Tony Award for direction. She is the recipient of a 2002 The Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Award for Best Director, and a 2005 Special Tribute Award for her contribution to Irish Theatre.

The design team for The Cripple of Inishmaan will feature scenic and costume design by Francis O�Connor, lighting design by Davy Cunningham, sound design by John Leonard and original music composed by Colin Towns.

For tickets and further information click here.