Melissa Errico and Brian Murray Set for Candida at Irish Rep

Melissa Errico and Brian Murray have signed on to star in Irish Repertory Theatre’s upcoming off-Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Candida. Directed by Tony Walton, the play will begin previews on February 24 and open on March 7 at Irish Rep’s theater on West 22nd Street.

Joining Errico (in the title role) and Murray (as her father, Mr. Burgess) will be Tony nominee Xanthe Elbrick (Coram Boy) as the clergyman's secretary, Prossy; Josh Grisetti (Enter Laughing) as the Reverend's curate, Lexy; Ciaran O'Reilly (A Touch of the Poet) as Reverend James Morell; and Sam Underwood as Eugene Marchbanks, the romantic suitor of Candida.

Candida tells the story of Reverend James Morell and how his comfortable marriage to Candida is shaken by the arrival of the young poet, Marchbanks. Both men adore her, in quite different ways and for quite different reasons, and she is attracted to them for their very different qualities. Marchbanks believes Candida has a choice. Morell is devastated by the idea of losing her. They both forget she is her own woman.

Errico, who recently appeared on Broadway in White Christmas, has co-starred in Irish Rep’s productions of Finian’s Rainbow, Major Barbara and The Importance of Being Earnest. Her Broadway credits include a Tony-nominated performance in Amour, My Fair Lady, High Society, Dracula and Anna Karenina.

Murray, who most recently appeared on Broadway in Mary Stuart, has starred in Irish Rep productions of Gaslight, Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Da. His Broadway credits include three Tony-nominated performances (The Crucible, The Little Foxes and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) as well as The Rivals, Uncle Vanya, Noises Off, Sleuth, King Lear and Twelfth Night.

Candida features set and costume design by Walton, who directed and designed Irish Rep’s revival of Shaw’s The Devil’s Disciple and Major Barbara and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest; lighting design by Richard Pilbrow; sound design by Zach Williamson and Jana Hoglund; and hair design by Robert Charles Vallance.