Vincent Dowling to Direct Irish Rep’s The Rivalry

Vincent Dowling, former artistic director of Ireland’s Abbey Theatre, will direct the Irish Repertory Theatre’s production of Norman Corwin’s The Rivalry, to run May 15-July 5, with an opening set for May 21.

The play, about the Lincoln/Douglas debates, is being presented in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. It will star Christian Kaufman as Lincoln, Peter Cormican as Stephen Douglas, Mary Linda Rapelye as Adele Douglas, and Doug Stender as the Republican Committeeman.

The creative team will include Eugene D. Warner (set), Rosi Zingales (costumes), Brian Nason (lighting), and Zachary Williamson and Walter Mantani (sound).

Dowling is a Lifetime Associate Director of The National Theatre of Ireland -‘The Abbey Theatre.’ During 27 years, he was Artistic Director, Deputy Artistic Director, and Director of the Experimental Theatre and, for 23 years, a leading company actor and director. He is a recipient of five Honorary Doctorates and numerous awards.

For more information, visit www.irishrep.org.