as evidenced by Lockhart’s insights into Sharky’s past and his monologues on the afterlife. McPherson’s dialogue is predominantly written in a working-class Dublin idiom but adopts a more self-conscious lyricism typical of the Irish theatre tradition during the Lockhart monologues. Production history Original production The play premiered in September 2006 at the Cottesloe auditorium of London's Royal National Theatre. It received a 2007 Olivier Award nomination for Best Play, and Jim Norton won an Olivier for Best Performance in a Supporting Role. The cast was: Mr Lockhart: Ron Cook Ivan Curry: Conleth Hill James 'Sharky' Harkin: Karl Johnson Nicky Giblin: Michael McElhatton Richard Harkin: Jim Norton Director: Conor McPherson Designer: Rae Smith Lighting Designer: Neil Austin Sound Designer: Mathew Smethurst-Evans Broadway The Broadway production opened December 6, 2007 at the Booth Theatre and closed on March 30, 2008. The Broadway cast was: Mr Lockhart: Ciarán Hinds Ivan Curry: Conleth Hill James 'Sharky' Harkin: David Morse Nicky Giblin: Sean Mahon Richard Harkin: Jim Norton Director: Conor McPherson Designer: Rae Smith Lighting Designer: Neil Austin Sound Designer: Mathew Smethurst-Evans This production garnered multiple Tony Award nominations in 2008, for Best Play, two for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Conleth Hill; Jim Norton), and Best Director of a Play (Conor McPherson. Jim Norton won the Tony for Featured Actor in a Play. Ireland The play was first performed in Ireland at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in May 2008, directed by Jimmy Fay. The Dublin cast was: Mr Lockhart: George Costigan Ivan Curry: Don Wycherley James 'Sharky' Harkin: Liam Carney Nicky Giblin: Phelim Drew Richard Harkin: Maelíosa Stafford Subsequent productions The West Coast premiere, directed by Jasson Minadakis, ran November 13 – December 7, 2008 at Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley, California. The cast was: Mr. Lockhart: Robert Sicular Ivan Curry: Andrew Hurteau James 'Sharky' Harkin: Andy Murray Nicky Giblin: John Flanagan Richard Harkin: Julian Lopez-Morillas The New Jersey regional premiere, directed by Anders Cato, ran November 18, 2008 – December 14, 2008 at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ. The cast was: Mr Lockhart: Robert Cuccioli Ivan Curry: William Hill James 'Sharky' Harkin: David Adkins Nicky Giblin: Matthew Boston Richard Harkin: David Schramm Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, IL, staged the Chicago premiere December 4, 2008 – February 22, 2009, in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre. It was directed by Randall Arney and featured ensemble members Francis