'Dai' Iris Bahr's Acclaimed One-Woman Show Returns, Nov.12

Dai (enough), written and performed by Iris Bahr (www.irisbahr.org) returns to the New York stage beginning Monday, November 12 at The 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street). Dai premiered last season at The Culture Project, after which it played a sold-out month-long engagement at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in August. In addition to receiving two 2007 NY Drama Desk Award nominations, including Best Solo Performance, and a UK Stage Award nomination for Best Solo Performance at this year's Edinburgh Festival, Ms. Bahr played an invitation-only performance of Dai in May for more than 100 U.N. Ambassadors and Diplomats at the personal request of Israeli UN Ambassador, Dan Gillermann.

Performances begin November 12 through Sunday, March 2, 2008. Opening night for Dai is Monday, November 19.  Dai will be sharing the stage with current 47th Street occupant Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening.

"Dai transports us into the fast-paced world of a bustling Tel Aviv café, just moments before a suicide bomber enters. Brought to life through Iris Bahr's razor sharp characterizations, members of all strata of Israeli society, as well as its observers and critics, are captured in what are to be their final moments. But it is Bahr's ability to find the humor and humanity in even the most dire and tragic circumstances that makes Dai sparkle, as we come to know these eccentric, lost, troubled souls, and peer into their hilarious lives, quirks and neuroses," explain press notes, "Far from a polemic, Dai is meant not as a political statement. Rather, it is designed as a freshly-cut cross section of people living in and visiting Tel Aviv that portrays many experiences and viewpoints. It is ultimately an exploration of the humanity of Israel, how lives are touched by the conflict and the internal ideological turmoil prevalent in Israeli society – a society that manages to sustain its humor and love for life despite the tragic existential crisis in which both sides find themselves."

A cross-section of humanity in her own right, native New Yorker Iris Bahr has been a sergeant in the Israeli army, a neuroscience researcher, a standup comedian and actress, and is the author of the current Bloomsbury published memoir "Dork Whore: My Travels Through Asia as a Twenty Year Old Pseudo-Virgin." A dual citizen of America and Israel, Bahr's many television and film roles include a recurring role on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and a co-starring role in the nationally released Larry The Cable Guy. Bahr is also the writer/performer of another solo work, Planet America, which has been optioned for development into a feature film.

The performance schedule for Dai is as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30pm, with matinees on Saturdays at 2:00pm and Sundays at 5:30pm Tickets are $65 for all performances. For tickets and information, call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200. The 47th Street Theatre is located at 304 West 47th Street.

The Thanksgiving week performance schedule: Monday, 11/19: 6:30pm; Tuesday, 11/20: 6:30PM; Wednesday, 11/21: 2pm & 6:30pm; Thursday, 11/22: DARK; Friday, 11/23: 6:30pm; Saturday, 11/24: 6:30pm; Sunday, 11/25: 5:30pm.

The Christmas and New Year's performance schedule: Monday, 12/24: 6:30pm, Tuesday. 12/25: 6:30pm, Wednesday, 12/26: 6:30pm, Thursday, 12/27: 6:30pm, Friday, 12/28: 6:30pm, Saturday: 12/29: 2pm & 6:30pm, Sunday, 12/30: 5:30pm, Monday, 12/31: DARK, Tuesday, 1/1: DARK, Wednesday, 1/2: 6:30pm, Thursday, 1/3: 6:30pm, Friday, 1/4: 6:30pm, Saturday, 1/5: 2pm & 6:30pm, Sunday, 1/6: 5:30pm. During these two weeks, all performances will be priced at $75.00.

Additionally, Dai will also be DARK from Wednesday, January 9 through Monday, January 14 (six performances).

Photo of Iris Bahr by Bruce Glikas