BUFFALO, NY – The Irish Classical Theatre Company (ICTC) kicks off its 2026-2027 Season with Emma by Kate Hamill, running September 18-October 4,2026. Directed by Keelie Sheridan, Emma Woodhouse is clever, educated, energetic…and in imminent danger of going mad with idleness. In a time when respectable ladies are expected to sit quietly at home, she desperately needs a project—and prides herself on matchmaking, much to the chagrin of her friend Mr. Knightley. But where Emma aims her attention, tangled hearts and screwball comedy follows… A fresh feminist take on a treasured classic, this Emma breaks down convention, expectation, and even the fourth wall with vibrant comic flair—leading audiences “forward, onward, and upward!”
Director and Artistic Director Keelie A. Sheridan shares: “We are excited to open our 36th Season with this delightfully comedic, romantic and effervescent take on Jane Austen’s classic novel. ICTC audiences will remember Kate Hamill’s fresh adaptation of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, which the company produced in 2019. Hamill’s body of work is an exceptional example of a contemporary playwright infusing classical texts with a modern edge that lets us appreciate literary history while locating ourselves, our relationships, and our lives in it.”
Emma will be performing Friday, September 18 through Sunday, October 4, 2026. Curtain times are 7:30pm Thursdays through Saturdays, with 2:00pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at www.irishclassical.com, by phone at 716-853-4282, or in person at the ICTC Box Office. Visit the website for a full performance calendar and accessibility information.
Rooted in ICTC’s 36th Anniversary Season theme of nostalgia and the beloved classic, Emma explores themes of friendship, folly and the messy business of love. For more information, visit: https://irishclassical.com/emma/
About ICTC:
Irish Classical Theatre Company, known for its commitment to presenting classic and contemporary plays with a focus on Irish works, has been a cornerstone of Western New York’s cultural landscape for over 35 years. With a mission to produce the highest quality theatrical performances, the company continues to enrich the community through its thought-provoking and engaging productions.