THE HANGOVER REPORT – Irish Rep’s immersive THE DEAD, 1904 gently and richly engages all the senses

Patricia Kilgarriff and Patti Perkins in Irish Rep's production of "The Dead, 1904" at the American Irish Historical Society.

Patricia Kilgarriff and Patti Perkins in Irish Rep’s production of “The Dead, 1904” at the American Irish Historical Society.

Last night, I entered the world of James Joyce’s The Dead, quite literally. The Irish Repertory Theatre production, entitled The Dead, 1904, is adapted from the novella by Paul Muldoon and Jean Hanff Korelitz, and it’s an immersive experience of the most genteel variety (Sleep No More, this is not). In it, just 55 audience members per performance are treated as holiday guests of the well-respected Morkan sisters in their cozy Victorian mansion in Dublin. Lovingly and smoothly staged by Ciarán O’Reilly at the American Irish Historical Society on the Upper East Side (an ideal location), the adaptation is an intimate experience that gently and richly engages all the senses – the production even includes a delicious meal and multiple libations. Music also plays a central role in the production, eliciting not only good cheer, but also buried emotions to rise from their graves. As with the novella, the evening ends on a note of bittersweet melancholy that’s haunting.

Although last year’s inaugural run, which I missed, featured perhaps a more accomplished cast (led by the great Kate Burton and Boyd Gaines), the current cast is just wonderful. As the Morkan sisters Patricia Kilgarriff and Patti Perkins are pitch-perfect, creating sharply drawn portraits of matriarchal women. As their niece Mary Jane, Kimberly Doreen Burns exudes a natural sweetness and untainted goodness that fits role like a glove. And as the favorite nephew Gabriel, Rufus Collins strikes just the right balance between confidence and unsettled uncertainty. I hope The Dead, 1904 establishes itself in coming years as a cherished holiday tradition, right alongside New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

THE DEAD, 1904
Off-Broadway, Play
The Irish Repertory Theatre at the American Irish Historical Society
1 hour, 45 minutes (without an intermission)
Through January 7

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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