'The Night Alive'
Opens Friday: The Jungle Theater wraps up its 2015 season with this regional premiere of Conor McPherson's latest play. Joel Sass directs the story of a down-and-outer in Dublin who befriends a vulnerable woman. This is Sass' third go with McPherson at the Jungle, and the previous two attempts have had excellent results. "Shining City" in 2007 and "The Seafarer" in 2009 illuminated the gritty Irish world that McPherson writes about. His work is filled with desperation but also a generous sense of grace and mercy. The cast includes Stephen Yoakam, who was terrific in "The Seafarer," and Patrick Bailey, who has been in both previous McPherson shows. Tyson Forbes, frighteningly good in the Jungle's "Detroit," is also on hand, and Sara Richardson makes her Jungle debut. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Ends Dec. 20. $28-$48. 2951 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. 612-822-7063, jungletheater.com)
Graydon Royce
