Theater News

Nick Offerman-Led Confederacy of Dunces Extends World-Premiere Engagement

The new play is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by John Kennedy Toole.

Nick Offerman plays Ignatius J. Reilly in the new stage adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces.
Nick Offerman plays Ignatius J. Reilly in the new stage adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces.

Boston's Huntington Theatre Company has extended its upcoming world-premiere production of A Confederacy of Dunces through December 20. Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by John Kennedy Toole and directed by David Esbjornson, performances begin November 11 at the BU Theatre/Avenue of the Arts.

Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) stars as the larger-than-life character Ignatius J. Reilly — an overweight, arrogant, eccentric man living in his mother's New Orleans home in the 1960s. Called the Don Quixote of the French Quarter, his farcical odyssey includes visits to a department store and a strip club, and stints working at a pants factory and as a hot dog vendor.

The cast also includes Anita Gillette (30 Rock) as Offerman's mother Irene Reilly, Philip James Brannon (Bootycandy) as Burma Jones, Arnie Burton (39 Steps) as Dorian Greene and Mr. Gonzales, Stephanie DiMaggio (All My Sons) as Lana Lee and Myrna, Lonnie Farmer (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) as Mr. Watson, Julie Halston (On the Town) as Miss Trixie, Paul Melendy (Ryan Landry’s "M") as Officer Mancuso, Talene Monahon (The Wild Party) as Darlene, Ed Peed (The Importance of Being Earnest) as Claude Robichaux, Steve Rosen (Guys and Dolls) as Gus Levy and Sergeant, Lusia Strus (50 First Dates) as Santa Battaglia, Stacey Yen (Eager to Lose) as Mrs. Levy and George, Wayne Barker (Peter and the Starcatcher) as cop and music director, and David L. Harris as Clyde and trombonist.

The creative team includes scenic design by Ricardo Hernandez, costume design by Michael Krass, lighting design by Scott Zielinski, sound design by Mark Bennett and Charles Coes, original music by Mark Bennett, and projection design by Sven Ortel.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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