ONCE BEFORE I GO

By Phillip McMahon
Directed by Colm Summers

Irish Repertory Theatre
New Works Summer Festival
W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre · New York
June 24, 2023

Featuring Arnie Burton, Úna Clancy, Doireann Mac Mahon, Kieran Mulcare, Morgan Sullivan and Stephen Quinn

ABOUT

Phillip McMahon’s Once Before I Go follows the friendship of Lynn, Daithí and the luminous Bernard across the transformation of queer Irish life from the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ’90s to an era of marriage equality, gender self-determination and untransmittable HIV. Moving between Dublin, London and Paris, the play sits on the edge of comedy, tragedy and melodrama, honoring the people lost along the way while asking what it means for those who survive to keep living.

CAST

PHILLIP McMAHON

W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre · Reading

Phillip McMahon is an Irish playwright, director and producer and co-founder of THISISPOPBABY.

His work includes Town Is Dead, Come On Home, Alice in Funderland, RIOT, Dublin Oldschool and Once Before I Go. His work has moved between theater, music, drag, cabaret and popular culture, frequently centering queer Irish life.

Once Before I Go received its world premiere at Dublin’s Gate Theatre in 2021, reopening the theater to live audiences after its pandemic closure.

Arnie Burton

Úna Clancy

Doireann Mac Mahon

Kieran Mulcare

Morgan Sullivan

Stephen Quinn

IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE

I directed the New York developmental reading of Once Before I Go for the inaugural Irish Repertory Theatre New Works Summer Festival, a five-day festival spotlighting LGBTQ+ voices.

The reading took place in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre on June 24, 2023.

The festival included:

Irishtown by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth
ERIS by John King
Drip Feed by Karen Cogan
Motherland by May Treuhaft-Ali (also directed by me!)
Once Before I Go by Phillip McMahon