The Eugene O’Neill Festival is proud to present ANNA/ Christine: A One-Woman Exploration, performed by Jenny Mercein and co-created by Jenny Mercein and Ryder Thornton. The performance includes verbatim passages from Eugene O’Neill’s play "Anna Christie" as well as original writing inspired by the biography of Christine Ell, an acquaintance of O’Neill who served as an inspiration for the character. The piece sheds light on Christine Ell’s remarkable journey, highlighting how her political/ feminist ideals may have influenced O’Neill. The performance will be followed by a panel discussion.
Speaking about the central character in his landmark play, The Hairy Ape (the concluding production of the 2025 Festival), Eugene O’Neill said, “Yank is really yourself, and myself. He is every human being . . . His struggle to ‘belong,’ to find the thread that will make him a part of the fabric of Life—we are all struggling to do just that.” Professors Brenda Murphy (Emeritus, University of Connecticut) and Beth Wynstra (Babson College) will speak at this session on the initial production of The Hairy Ape through the lens of the theme of belonging and will discuss Carlotta Monterey and the role of Mildred in the play. They will be joined by Lori Cassels who will speak about the significance of the night of 22 January 1918 and the death of O'Neill's friend, Louis Holliday, in the evolution of the playwright's work.
“And, perhaps, the Hairy Ape at last belongs” is the famous final stage direction of O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape. In this panel, Professor Valerie Joyce (Villanova University) will lead a discussion on approaches to teaching the play, its place in the O’Neill canon, and its lasting legacy today.
To conclude the academic sessions, the scholars will come together for a roundtable to each share their favorite aspect of The Hairy Ape.
Based on the true story of Mike Malloy, the play ‘The Unkillable Irishman’ is a dark comedy and theatrical caper about a homeless Irishman who survives numerous, increasingly desperate murder attempts in Prohibition-era New York. Written by Jack Matthews and directed by Paul Walsh.
“Life slowly changes us! Before we even realize it, we have become completely different people…”
Translation – Goderdzi Rukhadze Adaptation and Director – Dmitry Troyanovsky Translation Editor – Manana Antadze Set Designer – Avto Modebadze Music – Dmitry Troyanovsky / Ani Murghulia Choreographer – Tiko Koiava Technical Director – Ela Kazarian Cast: Mary Tyrone – Nineli Chankvetadze; James Tyrone – Paata Baratashvili; Jamie Tyrone – Beka Jumutia; Edmund Tyrone – Luka Chibukhaia
“The performance may be regarded as a continuation of the finest traditions of Mikheil Tumanishvili’s Acting School.” — Lela Tsipuria, theatre scholar and film director
“Dmitry Troyanovsky, together with his creative team, has laid bare the tragic disintegration of a loveless family, as if holding up a mirror to reveal the face of our contemporary society.” — Maka (Marine) Vasadze, theatre critic
About play
Eugene O’Neill’s famous play unfolds over a single long day in the life of the Tyrone family. In profoundly intimate and moving scenes, love and hatred, truth and lies, deep pain and the longing for freedom intertwine.
Our production raises pressing questions: What destroys a family? Why does a home sometimes turn into a prison? And can we exist without the bonds of family relationships?
From “Lucia Joyce, a small drama in motion”, we want to pay tribute to all those female artists silenced by the geniuses of patriarchal society. At the same time, we take a brief journey through the birth of modern dance, with references to artists such as Margaret Morris, Martha Graham, Mary Wigman and Pina Bausch. With a theatrical tribute combining dance, theatre and audiovisual elements, we bring the audience closer to the short story and drama of Lucia Joyce, daughter of the author of ‘Ulysses’.
This year’s O’Neill Festival Music evening is a special event to celebrate Ireland’s EU Presidency and featured musicians and singers from Ireland, Spain and Georgia. Featuring the magnificent fiddle player Zoe Conway, who is a prodigious talent and has performed all over the world. Accompanied by her husband John McIntyre whose unique guitar style beautifully complements Zoe on fiddle and also when she sings. Zoe is also blessed with a unique crystal clear voice.
With special guests:
Zoe Conway and John McIntyre
Ah, Wilderness! is a comedy play by American playwright Eugene O’Neill that premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on October 2, 1933. It differs from a typical O’Neill play in its happy ending for the central character, and depiction of a happy family in turn-of-the-century America. It is O’Neill’s only well-known comedy.
