Glyn O'Malley's Paradise Opens March 12

PARADISE by Glyn O'Malley set during the height of the current Mid-East Conflict will open in New York at the Kirk Theatre (410 west 42nd St.) on Saturday, March 12, 2005.

PARADISE is a passionate, unflinching drama about two teenage girls (a Palestinian and an Israeli) trapped at the height of the Intifada that gripped the Middle-East. The play has had readings in 5 cities. The LA Times calls it: "powerful and provocative," and the Chicago Tribune/Seattle Times describes it as "emotionally riveting and intellectually challenging."

Originally commissioned by the Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati's leading professional regional theatre, PARADISE, was awarded The Lazarus New Play Prize. The production was halted and a firestorm of protesting heated Cincinnati in 2003. Mel Gussow of the New York Times led the way in airing the controversy in a feature article on the debate and the play received a barrage of media attention.

Playwright and Director Glyn O'Malley completes a trilogy of war plays with PARADISE that began with CONCERTINA'S RAINBOW at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 2001. His A HEARTBEAT TO BAGHDAD starring Gloria Rueben was just seen at the Flea Theater in November. He's staged numerous plays in New York City as well as in regional theatres – The Old Globe, American Repertory Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre and, Florida Studio Theatre, received a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship; Jerome Foundation Award and been nominated for "Newman's Own – PEN American First Amendment Award." The cast of PARADISE includes Sanaz Alexander, Janine Barris, Vaneik Echeverria, Arian Moayed and Carmen Roman. Produced by Gary Allen Productions, PARADISE has Set and Costume Design by Austin K. Sanderson, Lighting Design by Phil Monat and Sound Design by Matt Berman.

Performances are Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for PARADISE are $15 and can be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com.