USD Theatre presents The Lieutenant of Inishmore
A tale of chaos and comedy, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" exposes the absurdity of Irish Republican terrorism. The action centers on Padraic, a renegade operative from the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) who is mysteriously lured from his activities in Northern Ireland to his home on the island of Inishmore, where his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, has taken ill. When he discovers that his cat has been killed, he seeks revenge.
By blending humor with action, McDonagh skewers one of the world’s most disturbing phenomena – terrorism – while at the same time challenges the sensibility of audiences for what they are willing to see on the stage.
The show’s cast includes Paul Petersen, a junior from Cheyenne, Wyo., as Padraic; seniors Andy Heller (Padraic’s father, Donny) of Armour, S.D., and Jonnie Stapleton (Davey) of South Sioux City, Neb.; Adam Hansen, a junior from Wayne, Neb., is James, a victim of torture; and Mike Husby, a senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., plays Christy, the leader of a terrorist cell. Kevin Kelly (Joel), a sophomore from Aberdeen, and Tyler Hudson (Brendan), a junior from South Sioux City, are Christy’s accomplices. Mandi Jung, a senior from Rapid City, S.D., rounds out the cast as Mairead, a young girl who yearns to join the INLA.
Professor Eric Hagen, chair of the department of theatre, directs the action while graduate students Karl Hermanson, Jody Tidwell and Aaron Larson design the setting, lights and sound, respectively. Linda Wigley Scribner, associate professor of theatre, is the costume designer, and Cameron Stalheim, Jonathan Hart and visiting guest artist Amanda Fehlner create the special effects.
Although "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" is very funny, parental guidance is recommended due to strong language and violent action. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for youth (12 and under), and $4 for USD students. University Theatre box office hours are from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from noon until curtain on days of performance. The Thursday, March 6 performance will also be interpreted for the deaf and hearing impaired. Ticket reservations can be made by calling the box office at (605) 677-5400 or online at www.usd.edu/cfa/Theatre. For more information, contact Eric Hagen at (605) 677-5732 or [email protected].