Bloomsday on Broadway XXIX

(Past) Wed, Jun 16 at 7 pm Peter Jay Sharp Theatre $25; Members $20

The 29th annual celebration of James Joyce's Ulysses will once again follow selected adventures of Joyce's hero, Mr. Leopold Bloom, as he makes his way through his ordinary Dublin day, and back home to his ever-loving Molly. As on every Bloomsday, a cast of Broadway and film stars, Selected Shorts regulars, and avid Joyceans will join in the carefully crafted excerpts staged by Isaiah Sheffer.Cast members include Stephen Colbert, Ira Glass, Eilin O'Dea, Colum McCann, Marian Seldes, John Shea, Tony Roberts, Dana Ivey, Stephen Lang, Malachy McCourt, Jonathan Hadary, Lois Smith, David Margulies, Jefferson Mays, and Damian Woetzel lead the list.

This years theme: the parallels between Joyce's ULYSSES and Homer's ODYSSEY, on which it is modeled. Readers will employ the stunningly beautiful Robert Fagles English version of Homer's classic. Excerpts will compare Odysseus' descent in to Hades with Mr Bloom's visit to the Dublin cemetery, Odysseus' dalliance with the enchantress Circe, and Mr Bloom's visit to the nighttown brothels, Odysseus's violent encounter with the monstrous Cyclops and Mr Bloom's fracas with the anti-Semitic troglodytic Irish patriot, and Ulysses' ultimate return home to his beloved Penelope with Leopold Bloom's return to his bed next to the incomparable Molly. As is often the case, BLOOMSDAY ON BROADWAY will conclude with the complete, uncensored, vivid night-time monologue of Molly Bloom performed by Fionnula Flanagan in a prodigious performing feat that lasts two and a half hours.

This performance will be broadcast on WNYC 93.9FM, beginning at 8 pm and on Symphony Space Live.