Pride Films and Plays has announced the cast and design team for A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, created by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Terrence McNally.

Directed by Donterrio Johnson, the cast includes Ryan Lanning as Alfie Byrne, Steven Romero Schaeffer as Robbie Fay, Ciera Dawn as Adele Rice, Sarah Beth Tanner as Lily Byrne, and Tommy Bullington as William Carney, with Jenny Rudnick (Mrs. Curtin), Ryan Armstrong (Ernie, Rasher Flynn), Tiffany Taylor (Mrs. Patrick), Ian Rigg (Father Kenny), Kimberly Lawson (Mrs. Grace), Jessica Lauren Fisher (Miss Crowe), Christopher Davis (Baldy), Orlando Shelly (Peter), Thomas Tong (Sully O’Hara), Kevin O’Connell (Brenton Beret, Oscar Wilde), Patrick O’Keefe (Swing), and Jenni Carroll (Swing).

The production team includes Robert S. Kuhn (costume design), Evan Frank (scenic design), Mike McShane (lighting design), Allison Petrillo (assistant director), Emily Marrazzo (stage manager), and Justus Wright (sound engineer).

Based on a 1994 film starring Albert Finney, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a middle-aged, unmarried bus conductor who idolizes Oscar Wilde and harbors a secret crush on his handsome young co-worker Robbie Fay.

“I find A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE to be above all, a story about community and how art is keeping this particular community together,” comments Johnson. “I’m very honored to be bringing A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE back to Chicago with this unbelievable and diverse cast of actor/musicians. This is a show I’ve always had an affinity for, and to be given the chance to retell this story about acceptance and the power of the theatre will be an awe-inspiring experience for the cast and audiences alike.”

A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE will be staged in the 85-seat Broadway Theatre of the Pride Arts Center and runs October 10 – November 10. More information at pridefilmsandplays.com.