Tony-winning actor James Naughton will headline the Irish Repertory Theatre's upcoming off-Broadway production of Henrik Ibsen's The Master Builder, which will be performed in a new adaptation by Frank McGuinness. The play will begin previews on October 10 and open on October 23, directed by Ciaran O'Reilly. The limited engagement is set to run through November 30.
In addition to Naughton, the cast of The Master Builder will include Charlotte Parry, Letitia Lange, Kristin Griffith, Daniel Cameron Talbott, Herb Foster and Doug Stender.
In The Master Builder, Halvard Solness, a successful architect and builder in a small Norwegian town, has mercilessly dominated his employees and his wife, Aline. Hilde Wangel, a vivacious young woman arrives unannounced. In the early stages of his career, Halvard built a large church in her hometown and climbed to the top of the tower to celebrate its dedication. When the architect promised to return and "build her a kingdom," his presence had profound effect on the young girl of 12. Ten years later, Hilde has come to reap what he has sown.
A two-time Tony winner for Chicago and City of Angels, Naughton has appeared on Broadway in Democracy, Prymate, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, Whose Life Is It Anyway? and I Love My Wife. As a director, Naughton's credits include Broadway revivals of Our Town and The Price and the play Surface to Air, produced in the summer of 2007 at Symphony Space. As a singer, Naughton has headlined the solo show Street of Dreams.
