Frank and Malachy McCourt’s comedy runs for 3 Performances only
Fundraising benefit for the Hurricane Sandy victims at Breezy Point, NY
(Friday February 1st, 2013) Malachy McCOURT will bring his much-loved autobiographical play “A Couple of Blaguards” that he wrote with brother Frank McCOURT to the Irish Arts Center (553 West 51st Street, New York NY) for three performances only from February 15-17th as one of the first events of the Center’s Spring season. All proceeds from the run of the play will aid victims of Hurricane Sandy in Breezy Point, New York where Frank McCourt used to spend time with his mother Angela before he came to worldwide fame with his 1996 Pultizer Prize-winning book “Angela’s Ashes.”
Booking and information can be found on www.irishartscenter.org or by calling 866-811-4111
Last performed at the Irish Arts Center in 1993, A Couple of Blaguards is a comical account of the McCourt brothers’ years growing up in poverty in Ireland. Though times were tough in Limerick, the tales spun by the brothers simmers with bittersweet recollections, ferocious humor and a parade of colorful characters.
Reviews from previous productions have raved with The New York Times praising the characters’ “rougish appeal”, the Washington Post confirming its “unholy amount of charm” and Newsday writing that the play “mixes the sweetness and kick of an Irish coffee.” The Los Angeles Times wrote “these master raconteurs have laced their combined experiences growing up in Ireland, and their escape to America into a vaudeville of comedy, Irish songs and a gallery of relatives, rogues, fools and petty tyrants — priestly and otherwise.”
The two-character comedy performed by Malachy McCOURT and Mickey KELLY will have three performances in the 99-seat Donaghy Theatre at the Irish Arts Center: Friday February 15, and Saturday February 16 at 8pm and Sunday February 17th at 3pm.
All proceeds from the performances will benefit Breezy Point Hurricane Sandy victims through the Emerald Aisle Immigration Center, whose funds are currently going to aid Breezy Point victims with rent funds, alternative accommodations and building supplies. Any additional donations will aid the entire Rockaway community by restoring basketball courts in partnership with GAA. The Irish Arts Center looks forward to sharing the weekend with new and old friends while raising funds for the community in Queens.
Work being presented at the Irish Arts Center this spring is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership by the City Council; and Culture Ireland, the agency for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide.