Irish Repertory Theatre

Newly renovated, this theatre jumps to the top of my list for theatrical venues in NYC. They’ve added a balcony and improved the seats and physical appearance. If you’ve never seen a show here you’ve missed out on a guaranteed treat. You don’t get the same kind of intimacy in the Broadway venues. Our ticket to see Matthew Broderick in Shining City last night was just $ 70 for a fifth row seat. The acting is always first-​rate and the plays intelligent and engaging

I saw a performance of «Sea Marks» recently — a really excellent play with terrific actors, and the theatre itself is quite lovely. Maybe 100 seats, very intimate feeling. There are two sets of seats, one typical ‘proscenium’ style, with another bank of about 10 – 15 seats to the side that would see the stage in profile, possibly with obstructions for certain parts of the show when the actors were at the front of the stage. All around, very impressed by the production and theatre and will make sure to keep an eye on future productions.

I came here with a few friends for a wonderful production of Juno and the Paycock, and enjoyed it immensely. The venue itself is inviting and cozy, and small enough so that every seat in the house has a good view and can hear the action. From our seats in the back row, we were still able to feel the chemistry between the actors and had a good view of the stage.
If they let us bring our beer from the concession stand to the seats, we might be looking at 5 stars!

Small theater which makes for a great experience, nice interiors, and a small bar area for a drink before a performance. I have only seen one play here but would return, given the quality of the actors and interesting plays.

Saw an excellent production of The Weir with a wonderful cast and a cozy, intimate set. I wanted to love the theater even more, what with the reasonably priced bottles of Guinness. Unfortunately they don’t allow you to bring it inside, so I had to pound it minutes before the show. Nor do they let you eat any of the snacks you buy – I know this is pretty normal for Broadway, but smaller venues vary in policies, and a sign would help. Still, a wonderful venue for world-​class theater away from the madness of Times Square.

The ONLY reason I can’t give them a full 5-​star rating is because their seats need some serious updating. But that’s just another reason for me to recommend them as a theater company you should subscribe and donate to!
I saw one of the most solid and enjoyable productions I’ve ever seen in NYC here! And they even gave free samples of some lovely whiskey during intermission! The staff were lovely, the designers did amazing jobs in their transformations of the space, and the actors cast were superb. I truly felt transported back to the time of the play’s setting.
Go, y’all! Check out their season, try a show, and subscribe if you’re as enthralled with them as I am!

LOVE THIS THEATRE! Just saw «Dancing at Lughnasa» and it was fantastic!
In 1995 the «Irish Repertory Theatre» made their permanent home in Chelsea on three completely renovated floors of a former warehouse, allowing for both a Main Stage theatre and a smaller studio space, the W. Scott McLucas Studio. The Irish Repertory Theatre is currently the only year-​round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage.
I’ve been here many times and it is absolutely fantastic! The shows are AMAZING! (Plays by, Yeats, John B. Keane, George Bernard Shaw, Frank McCourt, Oscar Wilde, to name a few)…

A wonderful theater space, where most seats are likely to be excellent. Although top seats can be pricey ($ 70 range) and make little difference to any other seat, the theater has done its best to make the show as comfortable as possible. There isn’t a lot of leg room, so if you bring a parcel (from all that NY shopping) make arrangements with the front desk to have it stored during the show. The sound system seemed quite good and lightening presented a clear image of the backdrop. The theater is somewhat dated and unfortunately (or fortunately) I did not have the great opportunity to test the washroom areas. There is a small bar available for drinks, but on a sold out nights, it appeared extremely busy.
The Irish Repertory Theater is home to world class acts and I recommend you entertain yourself one night at this facility.
Enjoy!

This is a charming space and the staff is fantastic. I had 2 tickets to see Lyric is Waiting and we were «unfortunately» 5 minutes late. As the stage is very close to the seating you will not be allowed in once the performance has started. Well, we had to come back the next day but had no issues, gripes, attitudes or anything from the staff. The staff was pleasant, apologetic and accomodating.
So we came back the next day, early enough to get a good seat and a glass of wine. The show was entertaining, creative and funny. In addition, the actors are talented.
Go see a show, get there after 7PM for easy parking and enjoy.
I dropped a star for the limited beverage selection.

What a wonderful theater space! I had wanted to see a show here and it was sold out. Since I was visiting, the friendly staff went out of its way to find me tickets-​and fabulous seats too! I really had a great time and highly recommend this theater. The space is initmate and cozy – just what I like in a theater. Also, for people 18 – 35, you can join Green Seats for free and get tickets for $ 20 each!

We went here to see the play «The Irish and How They Got That Way». The theatre was easy to find and we loved the intimate space. The place is small so coming in 15 minutes before show time was great. We were immediately seated and wasted little time getting to our seats. I had a good time here and only wished there were more bars/​restaurants nearby.

Neighborhood theatres are such charms and especially so when they have superb shows in their line-​ups. I was here to see Ernest in Love which was an awesome — witty, hilarious and thoroughly entertaining production. It was a light-​hearted show and I even found myself humming to the music! I’m planning to visit again to catch Candida, which I heard is an equally good production. Can’t wait!
Some observations:
Limited bathrooms (which are single, luxurious rooms rather than stalls. Always a line prior to the start of the show… always.
Oh yes, I’m not sure I’m a big fan of the side seating… apparently the difference in price is not great enough to warrant viewing the production entirely from the side of the stage. IMO those tickets ought to be designated as cheap seats. Fortunately for me, I had one of the best seats in the house when I was there so no complains!

Great little theater on an unassuming street. We came here to see the Aristocrats (great show, great cast, and great scenery).
It is a small theater of maybe 100 seats in the whole house, and no seats are bad. They have the main seats which are in front of the stage and they also have side-​seats which are actually on the stage with the actors — so you get a profile view, but you can still see everything going on. We were in row J with direct view of the stage and were close enough to see every expression off of the actors’ faces clearly.
It is very well-​run theater. The ticket handlers were very nice when we ordered our tickets and picked them up.

Wonderful theater. Went here for a performance of «The Master Builder» last night, starring James Naughton. First time I’ve been to this little theater. It is very intimate. All seats are good seats. They have a very small «bar» in the front of the theater, by the box office. There are also 2 bathrooms in the theater, which are unisex (so men finally get to learn what it’s like to be a woman standing in line). I will definitely go back for future performances.

In this day of exhorbitantly expensive over produced commercial shows, finally there is a breath of fresh air in the New York theater scene. «Take Me Along!» at the Irish Repertory Theater.
I have seen it already twice during previews and I can unabashedly recommend it.
This theater company dedicated to presenting works of Irish and Irish American playwrights, past and present, is a little treasure. Presenting in a small and initmate theater, the Irish Rep produces impeccable interpretations of shows from the classics to contemporary. Charlotte Moore presides as director and she is known as an «actor’s director» nurturing productions that allow ensembles to come together with the best that each performer can deliver: How do I know? OK Full disclosure: My daughter is in the cast!
The Irish Rep has just completed a capital campaign to buy their home hopefully insuring that they will be producing shows for many many years to come.
After an award winning season of shows that included Sive by John B. Keane, «A Child’s Christmas in Wales», and most recently «The Deviol’s Disciple» by George Bernard Shaw, the «Rep» is opening a this production of «Take Me Along», a sweet, nostalgic musical version of Eugene O’Neill’s «Ah, Wilderness», the only comedy he ever wrote. Originally performed in 1959 on Broadway, this is a true musical theater gem.
It is the early 1900s, in Centerville, Connecticut, on the 4^th of July and the local newspaper editor, Nat Miller is a hero because of a probe that resulted in the town getting a new firetruck. His impressionable 16 year old son, Richard, has Yale in his future, but his mind is too full of his innocent obsession with Muriel Macomber, the 15 year old daughter of the local dry goods store owner, who just happens to be the papers biggest advertiser. Her father is appalled by Richard’s woeing of Muriel, which is characterized by reading poetry aloud from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, for which scandalous activity he banishes her to confinement in her room for a month.
Richard’s father Nat, defends him and bristles against the curmudgeon Macomber, and vows not to grow old.
Richard thinking that Muriel has abandoned him, declares all women to be heart breakers, and drowns his sorrows in a trip to the local «cat house».
Meanwhile, Richard’s Uncle Sid has returned home from his adventures in Waterbury as a reporter, to attempt one more time to convince his love, Lily, to marry him, despite his affection for the bottle. Lily tentatively accepts and waits for Sid and the other «men of the family» to return from the annual picnic to escort her (sober) to the fireworks.
Sid can’t quite manage to keep his promise to stay sober, and he confesses that additonally he has lost his job. Lily sadly rejects his proposal, despite her desire for a home of her own.
As Sid faces that he has betrayed Lily, Richard struggles with his first hangover. He is commited to Muriel, despite that he now knows the pain of rejection and the loss of love that inspired the great poets.
Sid recognizes that he has one last chance with Lily, Richard trealizes that his commitment to Muriel may pay off, and the finale reconciles all the lovers, including the relieved Nat Miller and his faithful wife, as Sid departs to return to Waterbury a chastened man.
There are no big world lessons in this show. .. but there is poignancy and the sweetness of promises kept and love inspiring the young, redeeming the middle aged and comforting those commited to staying young.
The cast of «Take Me Along» is a marvelous ensemble of Broadway veterans and emerging talents. In such an intimate setting every facial expression, every movement is pivotal. There are no «mikes», no special effects, and the audience is literally on the stage with the performers. There is no hiding and this cast does not disappoint.
I am struck by how the company has embraced the show and made it more than just a period revival. They deliver the tunes with beleivablilty and gusto, whether it is the duet between the young lovers wowing to die without each other or the raucous: «If Jesus Don’t Love You, Jack Daniels Will!»
The cast features Anastasia Barzee, Donna Bullock, Dewey Caddell, Teddy Eck, Beth Glover, Justin Packard, William Parry, Noah Ruff, Emily Skeggs, Gordon Stanley, and Don Stephenson.
Do yourself a favor: GET TICKETS NOW!
Directed by Charlotte Moore
Music Direction By Mark Hartman
Choreography By Barry McNabb
Performances of TAKE ME ALONG are Wednesday — Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets go on sale January 2, 2008. Tickets are $ 60 and $ 55 and can be purchased by calling The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727‑2737. (For group sales of 20 or more contact Jen Nelson at (212) 255−0270×22.) For more information, call (212) 727‑2737 or visit

Good off-​Broadway theatre that presents plays by Irish and Irish-​American authors.