The Irish Classical Theatre Company is kicking off its 30th Anniversary Season with “Sea Marks” by Gardner McKay. A professionally produced, fully staged performance filmed at ICTC’s home, The Andrews Theatre, under the new leadership of Executive Artistic Director Kate LoConti Alcocer. This lyrical Irish love story, winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Award (Best Play) and the Canadian National Regional Theatre Award, will be available for streaming October 16 to November 1, 2020. Tickets are affordably priced at $15 – $25.
ICTC’s 30th Anniversary Season marks a transition in Artistic leadership with Kate LoConti Alcocer assuming the role of Executive Artistic Director, with the recent retirement of ICTC’s Vincent O’Neill, who was honored with the title Artistic Director Emeritus.
The selection of “Sea Marks” as the Season opener is a tribute to ICTC’s rich history. It was the first play presented in the Calumet space 27 years ago, directed by Fortunato Pezzimenti and starring Co-Founders Vincent O’Neill and Josephine Hogan. The extraordinary text of the play is timely, too, as it explores feelings of isolation and loneliness, more poignant and personal now than ever.
Living on a remote island West of Galway, Colm, a lonely fisherman, woos a woman he’s glimpsed but once. He courts her by mail, and after a year and a half, romance blossoms, and he arrives in Liverpool. Colm aches to find connection in the arms of Timothea in this strange place she calls home; yet he longs for the sounds of the sea and for the life he has left behind.
“Sea Marks” stars ICTC audience favorites Chris Kelly as Colm and Kristen Tripp Kelley as Timothea. Both are recipients of multiple ARTIE Awards and nominations in multiple categories for productions at ICTC and across Western New York. Notably, Chris and Kristen played opposite one another in ICTC’s regional premiere of “The Seedbed” by ICTC Playwright in Residence Bryan Delaney and “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Martin McDonagh, displaying dynamic on-stage chemistry.
ICTC is proud to partner with Deaf Access Services, an affiliate of People Inc., to provide both American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted and Open Captioning options for viewing. This is the first of such offerings in the Region and is made possible by a grant awarded from the J. Warren Perry and Charles Donald Perry Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Patrons will have the ability to choose one of our three options:
Without ASL Interpretation or Open Captioning
With Open Captioning
With ASL Interpretation and Open Captioning
Supporting the production are Producer/Production Manager Greg Natale; Production Stage Manager Michelle Eisen; Associate Producer Renee Radzavich; Film/Technical Advisor Salvatore Natale; Set Designer David Dwyer; Sound Designer Tom Makar; Lighting Designer Jayson Clark; Costume Designer Vivian Del Bello; Hair/Make-up Designer Susan Drozd; Dramaturg Katie Mallinson; Props Designer Roy Walker; Assistant Stage Manager Cali Smith; Production Assistant Eliza Zanolli-Stiles; and Dialect Coach Josephine Hogan.
ICTC is collaborating on this virtual production with award-winning, Buffalo-based Pan-American Film Division. Travis Carlson will serve as Project Lead and Megan Gonsalves as Project Coordinator.
While a return to live performance remains ICTC’s goal, the safety and comfort of its artists and patrons is of utmost importance. ICTC will strictly adhere to CDC timelines and guidelines for reopening. Plans for the rest of the 2020-2021 Season will be announced as soon as we are able to do so reliably, responsibly, and with confidence.
“Since we are currently unable to gather together as we normally would in The Andrews Theatre, we are thrilled to present “Sea Marks” to ICTC’s patrons in Buffalo – and around the world – in a new and beautiful way,” said Executive Artistic Director Kate LoConti Alcocer. “Navigating these difficult days demands that we remain nimble in our planning and bold in our choices. The Irish Classical Theatre Company embraces the challenge of reaching out to our audiences, who long for live theatre experiences, virtually,” she continued. “We embark on ICTC’s 30th Anniversary Season with great enthusiasm and hopeful hearts. “Sea Marks” will be seen through fresh eyes and through the camera lens as well,” LoConti Alcocer concluded.
“Sea Marks” by Gardner McKay will be available for streaming Friday, October 16 through Sunday, November 1 and tickets are on sale now. A ticket purchase will provide an access link for a one-time view within a 3-hour window during the three-week period.
