Mark your calendars: tomorrow and Saturday Manhattan’s Irish Arts Center and Glucksman Ireland House at NYU will host a remarkable two day tribute to Brian Friel, the undisputed master of Irish drama, in honor of his 80th birthday.

First up, "A Tribute to Brian Friel: Celebrating the 80th Birthday of Ireland’s Legendary Playwright" will be held at The Irish Arts Center on Friday, May 1 at 8 P.M.

This is certain to be an unforgettable evening, featuring some of New York most accomplished Irish and Irish American actors performing scenes from Friel’s incredible body of work over five decades, including “A Saucer of Larks” (1962); “Philadelphia, Here I Come” (1964); “Lovers” (1967); “The Freedom of the City” (1973); “Faith Healer” (1979); “Translations” (1980); “Dancing at Lughnasa” (1990); and “The Home Place” (2007).

Actors participating in the one night only show at the Arts Center include Geraldine Hughes, Orlagh Cassidy, John Keating, Peter Maloney, Ciaran O’Reilly, Peter Scanavio and Fiona Walsh.

On Saturday, May 2, a one-day symposium bringing together academics from Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and members of the theater community, including Tony winning director Patrick Mason, the former Director of the Abbey Theatre. 

Lectures at the one day conference will include Brian Friel and the North” by Professor Eamonn Hughes of Queen's University Belfast. “Dancing at Lughnasa” and “The Home Place” at the crossroads of the local and the global will be discussed by Professor Anna McMullan also of Queen's University Belfast and Language, music and movement in Brian Friel's theater will be addressed by Professor Nicholas Grene of Trinity College Dublin.

Please see www.irishartscenter.org/frielevent.html for ticket details.