Opening October 19, Chester Bailey by Emmy winner Joseph Dougherty (thirtysomething, My Favorite Year) makes its New York premiere at Irish Repertory Theatre. The Off-Broadway run began previews October 12, and is set to continue through November 13 on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage.
The play, set during World War II, follows young man Chester Bailey as he recovers from the war under the care of Dr. Philip Cotton, an older and also-wounded man who is meant to help Bailey accept reality. Father-and-son duo Tony winner Reed Birney (The Humans) and Ephraim Birney (The Americans) star.
Ron Lagomarsino (Driving Miss Daisy) directs the production which features scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Toni Leslie-James, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, and sound design by Brendan Aanes. April Ann Kline serves as the production stage manager.
Chester Bailey received its first reading at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre in 2012. Another reading followed in 2015 at Irish Rep, leading to a workshop and a 2016 world premiere at American Conservatory Theatre. Both Reed and Ephraim Birney have starred in productions at West Virginia’s Contemporary American Theatre Festival and Massachusetts’ Barrington Stage Company.
For tickets and more information, visit IrishRep.org.