A Devilishly Good Time!

The Irish Rep Presents Bernard Shaw's Crackling Comedy Set During The American Revolution

By John Mooney

Irish plays in New York are absolutely hellish. But that's a good thing! Conor McPherson's THE SEAFARER has received spectacular reviews. The Irish Rep's production of George Bernard Shaw's THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE is equally worthy.

Directed by Tony Walton, the play is set during the American War of Independence. It centers on the rascal, Dick Dudgeon, a young revolutionary brought up in a puritan New Hampshire home. Lorenzo Pisoni gives a spirited performance as the drinker and prodigal son, who returns home for his inheritance upon his father's death. His relationships with women are intriguing; Dick's return results in the departure of his cold and bitter mother (veteran actress Darcy Pulliam), provides a home to his illegitimate orphan cousin, Essie (Cristin Milioti), and causes sexual tension with the beautiful and priggish minister's wife, Judith (Jenny Fellner).

Egotistical, happy-go-lucky, and seemingly self-centered, Dudgeon performs a surprising act of bravery, which threatens his own life. Through his main character, playwright Shaw skewers pretentious behavior, whether it be sexual piety or the British soldiers' insistence of propriety when executing American rebels. John Windsor-Cunningham, in the role of General Burgoyne, vocalizes Shaw's dislike of the British establishment. His impeccable comic timing and sarcasm target the ineptitude of Burgoyne's own soldiers, military procedures, and King George III. (Windsor-Cunningham is a long-time veteran of the British stage, including many roles at the Royal National Theatre.)

Curzon Dobell plays the stiff Presbyterian minister Anthony Anderson, who wants to bring redemption to the Devil's Disciple, Dudgeon. Craig Patterson adds a comic touch as Dudgeon's oafish younger brother, Christy. Robert Sedgwick plays the bumbling Major Swindon. Sean Gormley and Richard B. Watson make their Irish Rep debuts.

Tony Walton, a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame, has previously directed and designed THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, MAJOR BARBARA, and the U.S. premiere of Noël Coward's AFTER THE BALL at the Irish Rep. For the past 50 years, he has designed settings and costumes for Broadway productions such as OUR TOWN, I'M NOT RAPPAPORT, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, 1776, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, GUYS AND DOLLS, ANYTHING GOES, Bob Fosse's original productions of CHICAGO and PIPPIN, as well as Madison Square Garden's A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Walton has also designed for films, including MARY POPPINS, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, THE WIZ, ALL THAT JAZZ, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, and DEATHTRAP. His designs for Opera have been seen throughout Europe and America. Walton has won many awards including an Oscar, an Emmy and three Tonys (16 nominations).

THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE has been extended to February 10. Performances are Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00 p.m.; Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $60 and $55 and can be purchased at The Irish Rep Box Office, 132 West 22nd Street betw/ 6th and 7th Aves.) or by calling (212) 727-2737.

Visit www.irishrep.org. Running Time: one hour, 45 minutes with one intermission.