Ages of the Moon: Sean McGinley & Stephen Rea to star in Sam Shepard's play

Atlantic Theater Company have announced that Academy Award, Golden Globe Award and Tony Award nominee Stephen Rea and Sean McGinley will reprise their starring roles in the American premiere of The Abbey Theatre's production of Sam Shepard's Ages of the Moon, specifically written for the two actors by the Pulitzer Prize Award-winning playwright.

Ages of the Moon opens at Atlantic's main stage, The Linda Gross Theater, on 27 Jan 2010, following previews from 12 Jan 2010, for a limited engagement through to 7 Mar 2010.

Ages of the Moon is a gruffly poignant and darkly funny play. Byron (McGinley) and Ames (Rea) are old friends re-united by mutual desperation. Over bourbon on ice, they sit, reflect and bicker until fifty years of love, friendship and rivalry are put to the test at the barrel of a gun.

Sam Shepard will make his Atlantic debut with the American premiere of the Abbey Theatre's production of Ages of the Moon following the world premiere engagement in Ireland directed by Jimmy Fay.

Sean McGinley is making his Broadway debut. He starred as 'Snagsby' in the award-winning BBC dramatization of 'Bleak House.' His many other credits include 'The Mighty Celt,' 'Waking the Dead,' 'Pulling Moves,' 'Gangs of New York,' 'The Butcher Boy,' 'Braveheart,' 'Circle of Friends,' 'The General,' 'Michael Collins.' and many others. He won the 2005 Irish Film and Television Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film for his role as 'Eddie' in 'On a Clear Day.'

Stephen Rea was nominated for a Tony Award for his Broadway debut performance as 'Edward' in 'Someone Who'll Watch Over Me.' He returns to New York after starring in Sam Shepard's 'Kicking a Dead Horse' at the Public Theater. Rea won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance in Neil Jordan's film 'The Crying Game.' Previously, Rea worked with Jordan on 'Angel' (aka Danny Boy), his feature film debut and 'Company of Wolves.' They have since collaborated on the films 'Interview with a Vampire,' 'Michael Collins,' 'The Butcher Boy,' 'In Dreams,' 'End of the Affair,' 'Breakfast on Pluto' and 'Ondine.'

Sam Shephard (Playwright) was first produced in New York in 1963 at Theatre Genesis and many times at La MaMa and Cafe Cino. Eleven of his plays have won Obie Awards including 'The Tooth of Crime' (1972) and 'Curse of the Starving Class' (1976). He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his play 'Buried Child' (1979). The critically acclaimed production of 'True West,' starring Jon Malkovich and Gary Sinise opened Off-Broadway in 1982. 'Simpatico 'opened at The Royal Court Theatre after its New York premiere at The Public Theater in 1994 and was made into a feature film by Matthew Warchus starring Nick Nolte and Sharon Stone. A revised 'Buried Child' under the direction of Gary Sinise opened on Broadway in 1996 and was nominated for a Tony Award.