Translations: Irish Drama by Brian Friel
Church Street Theater, Between 17th St NW and 18th St NW (1742 Church Street, NW Washington, DC 20036)
- Full Price:
- $30.00
- Our Price:
- $15.00*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Translations have expired.
The last date listed for Translations was Saturday May 17, 2008 / 8:00pm (Closing Night).
Currently at Church Street Theater:
Tony Award-Winning Musical Spring Awakening by Keegan Theatre
- Full Price:
- $40.00
- Our Price:
- $20.00
Spring Awakening is an awesome rock musical and Broadway smash that won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Based on the Expressionist play that caused a scandal in 19th-century Germany, this poignant musical follows a group of teenagers as they navigate the confusing and often troubled waters of adolescence, complicated by their budding sexuality. Inspired by Frank Wedekind's controversial 1891 play, the musical's angst, emotion, desire and romance still ring true today, and its acclaimed score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater turns this timeless story into a powerful coming-of-age rock musical. The Keegan Theatre's production is directed by two-time Helen Hayes nominees Susan Marie Rhea and Mark A. Rhea. Learn More
Goldstar Member Tips
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Goldstar Member on Where to Park
No parking nearby, recommend taxi or metro
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Goldstar Member on Where to Eat
Small Selection of snacks and drinks (alcohol okay)
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Goldstar Member on What to Wear
Low Key Theatre
28 Goldstar Member Reviews
Lisa P.
MattD
Good actors. Interesting story, but the idea of English imperialism over Ireland was only mildly conveyed.Written on May 09 2008
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Janet Yandik
Thank you Goldstar for offering this fine show.Written on May 09 2008
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Modrocker
The casting and sets were spot on. I enjoyed the play but it didn't really grab me enough for a third star. I think it was more a problem with the script not being developed enough than a problem with the acting or anything else.Written on Apr 28 2008
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More Information About Translations
Website
http://www.keegantheatre.com/20072008season/translations08/index_E....
Quotes & Highlights
- “Brian Friel’s best play, telling with stark yet cunning power a parable about war and the ways it can erase tradition.” --Village Voice
- “A tender, sad and funny play about the difficulty of finding a home in the world, a person to share it with, and a name to call it by.” --New York Times
Description
<p>Keegan Theatre presents the Irish contemporary masterpiece Translations, written by the beloved and acclaimed playwright Brian Friel. A brilliant work of historical fiction, Translations explores the dilemma of traditions and national identity juxtaposed with colonialism and changing times in the politically charged landscape of early 1800s Ireland. Inhabitants of a small town in County Donegal feel the repercussions as the British Royal Engineers Ordinance Survey come through their area Anglicizing Gaelic place names. Set mostly in a ‘hedge school’ in Baile Beag (renamed Ballybeg), the locals try to deal with what is happening, and where and how they fit in. Friel’s drama touches the heart as sympathetic characters on both sides reach out to one another. </p>
<p>Brian Friel wrote Translations in 1980 as the Field Day Theatre Company’s first production. Though many consider Translations his literary masterwork, Friel is widely admired and recognized for his other dramatic works such as Faith Healer, Molly Sweeney and the often-produced Dancing at Lughnasa. Friel is currently living in Ireland, where he continues to write for the stage.</p>
<p>For its production of Translations, Keegan Theatre is honored and delighted to welcome to its stage guest artist Matthew Keenan from Dublin, Ireland. Keenan – who is relocating to the United States as a Keegan-sponsored artist for the 2008-2009 season – will perform the role of Doalty in Translations, the role originally played by Liam Neeson in the 1980 production. Other members of the esteemed Translations cast include company members Susan Marie Rhea (Maire) and Kevin Adams (Hugh); also returning to the Keegan stage are Colin Smith as Manus (1776, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Hostage), Erin Buchanan as Bridget (The Importance of Being Earnest), Peter Finnegan as Yolland (Glengarry Glen Ross), and Jon Townson as Owen, (The Glass Menagerie, A Man for All Seasons). Two actors from Keegan’s original production of Translations are also returning to reprise their roles: Stan Shulman as Jimmy Jack Cassie and Daniel Lyons as Lancey. Rounding out the cast is Samantha Sheahan as Sarah. Samantha is a gifted young actress discovered by Keegan through its outreach project with Chalice Theatre.</p>
<p>From the Director:</p>
<p>“Translations is -- to put it simply -- my favorite piece of theater, Irish or otherwise. It aches. There is something universal about the pain and the wonder of the play, even as it pulses with Friel's love for the Irish people, For Keegan, Translations is especially meaningful because it was our second show as a theater company. We performed it in a church basement with all this talent and passion and love for the work, and we had the magic of George Lucas’ set and Dan Martin’s lighting to help us create Friel’s world. The synergy among the actors, the text and myself was just astonishing. The show was received with overwhelming warmth and enthusiasm, and it garnered Keegan our first Helen Hayes nomination. This time around, I feel I have once again assembled just a spectacular cast, and of course I am beyond thrilled to be able to produce the show at Church Street -- a perfect fit for the feeling of this piece.
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<p>“The stripping away of place names, the loss of language -- it is a far more violent, drastic thing than it may seem on the surface. What you lose is profound -- the history, the storytelling, the heart and home of a people. How Friel tackles this complex and sensitive moment in history through this small, specific story and these fantastic, rich characters -- well, it is a smorgasbord for the actors, a delight for me, and a gift to our audiences.”</p>
About the Ticket Supplier: Keegan Theatre
Founded in 1996, The Keegan Theatre is a professional nonprofit theatre company dedicated to supporting theatre artists and technicians in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.