February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
“It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s a great little piece set in a radio station,” Hughes said of “Ardnaglass on the Air” by Jimmy Kerr. “It’s a bit of craic. It’s a bit of banter.
“I’ve known Jimmy for a long time and this is the first time that I’ve had an opportunity to do something with him in New York that people can come and see,” she said.
Hughes said this would be a “minimal” production, but because she respects Kerr’s work so much she would like to do a fully produced version of the play at some point.
The project also gives her an opportunity to work again with Fr. Colm Campbell, who founded the center. When she was a teenager, she performed as a dancer in a Passion play at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast. “Fr. Campbell was a huge part of that,” she said. “He remembered me from that. I’d almost forgotten I’d done it.”
Hughes, who is best known for her play “Belfast Blues,” said that she’s delighted to have the opportunity to support the priest’s work in New York.
“Ardnaglass on the Air” will star the Toomebridge, Co. Antrim native Kerr, Jo Kinsella, who is from County Kilkenny, and Jonathan Judge-Russo.
The Irish Center is located at 1040 Jackson Ave. beside the Jackson Avenue subway station, the first stop on the 7 train after Grand Central.
The play will be performed on Friday, Nov. 13 and 20 at 8 p.m., Sat., Nov. 14 and 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 22 at 4 p.m. Friday performances $35 ($25 seniors)
Saturday and Sunday performances, $45 ($35 seniors). The Saturday and Sunday price includes a dinner buffet. For tickets and information call Caitlin at 718-428-0909 or Breda at 718-426-1724.