Banished Children of Eve at the Irish Rep

The Irish Repertory Theatre begins its 23rd Season with the world premiere of Banished Children of Eve ­ a play by Kelly Younger, adapted from Peter Quinn's novel and directed by Ciaran O'Reilly ­ opening at the Irish Repertory Theatre on 24 Oct 2010, following previews from 13 Oct and runnig through to 5 Dec 2010.

The Irish Repertory Theatre commissioned playwright Kelly Younger to write this drama set during the Civil War in New York City. Banished Children of Eve follows a motley assemblage of New Yorkers through a few days in the terrible summer of 1863 when the Civil War had just entered its third bloody year.

Against the backdrop of the dangerous, sweltering Civil War summer of 1863, the Bowery explodes with racial tension and the City of New York rushes headlong toward the fatal July draft riots. Moving to the music and rhythms of these dangerous times, a diverse band of characters are drawn together in a net of intrigue and violence. Jack Mulcahey, leading an Irish Minstrel Troupe, stars opposite his true love, a beautiful Mulatto girl who whites her face and crosses the ice as Eliza in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." On the blistering streets outside, corrupt Tammany Hall bosses plot to take advantage of the chaos to enrich themselves whilst destroying any hopes of escape to a place of freedom and peace for Jack and his little family.

Malcolm Gets, previously seen at Irish Repertory Theatre in its revival of 'Finian's Rainbow' and on Broadway in 'The Story of My Life' and 'Amour,' co-stars as 'Stephen C. Foster.' David Lansbury, who appeared at Irish Rep in 'The Hairy Ape' and 'Defender of the Faith' and on Broadway in 2001 revivals of 'Hedda Gabler' and 'Major Barbara,' co-stars as Irish minstrel 'Jack Mulcahey.'

Joining Gets and Lansbury in the cast of Banished Children of Eve are Christopher Borger, Rory Duffy, Amber Gray, Patrice Johnson, Graeme Malcolm, Kern McFadden, Jonny Orsini and Amanda Quaid.

Banished Children of Eve features set design by Charlie Corcoran, costume design by Martha Hally, lighting design by Brian Nason and sound design by Ryan Rummery and Christian Fredrickson.

Kelly Younger's plays include 'Off Compass,' winner of the 2007 John Gassner New Play Award; 'I Think You Think I Love You,' 'Forgive Me, Father' 'Lady Gregory's Ingredients,' and 'Once a Marine.' New works include 'Rorschach,' a finalist for the Joanne Woodward/Paul Newman Drama Award, and 'Tender,' developed with New Repertory Theatre and given its premiere by Gloucester Stage Company in July 2010.

In addition to "Banished Children of Eve," winner of the 1995 American Book Award, novelist and chronicler of Irish America Peter Quinn is the author of "The Hour of the Cat," and "Looking for Jimmy: A Search for Irish America." His most recent novel is "The Man Who Never Returned."

Last season, director Ciarán O'Reilly helmed Eugene O'Neill's 'The Empereor Jones,' which received the Lortel nomination for best revival. The production garnered a Lortel nomination for its star, John Douglas Thompson. O'Reilly's directing credits also include: 'The Hairy Ape' (Lortel nomination), 'The Yeats Project,' 'The Master Builder,' 'Prisoner of the Crown,' 'Sive,' 'Defender of the Faith,' 'The Field,' 'Philadelphia, Here I Come!' (Lortel nomination) and 'The Bells of Christmas.'