Solas Nua Brings Dark Irish Comedy Lie Low to DC

Washington, D.C. audiences are set to experience a potent blend of dark humor and piercing insight as Solas Nua, the city's premier contemporary Irish arts organization, brings the North American premiere of Ciara Elizabeth Smyth's acclaimed play, "Lie Low," to the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Running from November 6-23, this production marks a significant moment for DC theatre, offering a look at a new work from one of Ireland's most compelling emerging playwrights.

Lie Low presented by Solas Nua at Atlas Performing Arts Center

"Lie Low" is a dark comedy that delves into the unsettling aftermath of a home invasion. The story centers on Faye, who, after a traumatic event, has gone 20 days without sleep, subsisting on Rice Krispies and sheer adrenaline. Convinced she's "fine," she enlists her brother, Naoise, in a series of increasingly absurd attempts at exposure therapy. But as the lines between reality and anxiety blur, Naoise's own buried secrets begin to surface, creating a razor-sharp exploration of trauma, the lies we tell ourselves, and the chaotic ways our minds cope with pain.

Solas Nua's Artistic Director of Theatre, Rex Daugherty, directs the production, and he has assembled a cast of highly acclaimed DC actors to bring this razor-sharp script to life. Cody Nickell, a five-time Helen Hayes Award nominee, and Megan Graves, a two-time nominee and a "DC Stage Dynamo" according to The Washington Post, will star. Their previous collaboration in the celebrated production of "The Tempest" at Round House Theatre, with magic created by Teller, showcased their incredible on-stage chemistry. Graves is also a familiar face to Solas Nua audiences, having appeared in the sold-out run of "Wild Sky."

The creative team behind "Lie Low" is a powerhouse of local talent, including choreography by Robert Bowen Smith, scenic design by Gisela Estrada, and sound design by Kenny Neal. Alberto Segarra (lighting design), Logan Benson (costume design), Lorraine Ressegger-Slone (fights/intimacy director), and Isabel deCarvalho (prop design) round out the team, with Isabella Tapia as stage manager and Mekala Sridhar as creative producer.

Solas Nua, whose name means "new light" in Irish, has been a beacon for contemporary Irish arts in the U.S. since its founding in 2005. The organization's mission is to showcase the best of Irish artistry across various disciplines, and "Lie Low" continues this tradition by introducing DC to a playwright whose work has been celebrated on international stages.