Shining City

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble kicks off their 25th Anniversary Season with Conor McPherson’s Shining City directed by BTE Ensemble member Brian Burke. Sparse, compelling and frightening, Shining City tells the tale of John, a middle-aged Dubliner who has been recently widowed, and Ian, a former priest and John’s therapist. John walks into Ian’s office for help in dealing with Mari’s horrific auto accident, revealing he’s been haunted by Mari’s death more than figuratively. As this 90-minute 2006 Tony-nominated script unfolds, we see parallels in these two men’s lives, which build to a stunning climax. The New York Times critic Ben Brantley hails “Shining City” as “…quiet, haunting and absolutely glorious new play… as close to perfection as contemporary playwriting gets.”