Dana Ivey Cast in MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION at the Irish Repertroy Theatre

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) will continue their 2005-2006 season with George Bernard Shaw's MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION starring award winner Dana Ivey and directed by Charlotte Moore. This production is being performed during the centennial anniversary of the play's original American production. Performances begin on December 9, 2005, opening December 18, 2005, and continues through January 29, 2006.

At the turn of the century, Vivie Warren, a Cambridge educated and well brought-up young woman, learns that her mother, Mrs. Kitty Warren, has risen from abject poverty to enormous wealth through her investments in brothels throughout Europe. While Miss Warren acknowledges her mothers courage and respects her overcoming her past, she fails to agree with her mothers continuing in her line of work.

MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION was written by George Bernard Shaw in 1894, but was prevented from any production until January 1902 at London's New Lyric Club. The play's American debut was in 1905 in New Haven but was closed and banned after only one performance. It subsequently transferred to Broadway's Garrick Theatre where it opened on October 30, 1905 to a sold-out audience, but was soon closed there as well and the cast was cited for "disorderly conduct." Shaw wrote in PLAYS PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT, "MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION was written to draw attention to the truth that prostitution is caused, not by female depravity and male licentiousness, but simply by underpaying, undervaluing and overworking women so shamefully that the poorest of them are forced to resort to prostitution... No normal woman would be a professional prostitute if she could better herself by being respectable, nor marry for money if she could afford to marry for love." Shaw won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925.

The cast is lead by Dana Ivey who recently received a Tony Nomination for her role as Mrs. Kitty Warren in THE RIVALS. Her Broadway credits include HEARTBREAK HOUSE (Tony nomination), LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO (Drama Desk Award and Tony nomination), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Tony nomination), PRESENT LAUGHTER (Derwent Award), PACK OF LIES, WAITING IN THE WINGS, MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, INDISCRETIONS, and MACBETH (at the Beaumont Theater). Off-Broadway, her credits include DRIVING MISS DAISY (Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards), QUARTER MAINE'S TERMS (Obie and Derwent Awards), KINDERTRANSPORT, BEGGARS IN THE HOUSE OF PLENTY, THE UNEASY CHAIR, TARTUFFE, HAMLET (Bayfield Award) and also various regional theatre. Her film credits include TWO WEEKS NOTICE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, HOME ALONE 2, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, ORANGE COUNTY, THE COLOR PURPLE, and LEGALLY BLONDE 2.

The cast also includes Laura Odeh as the daughter, David Staller as Mr. Praed , Sam Tsoutsouvas as Sir George Crofts, Kevin Collins as Frank Gardner, and Kenneth Garner will perform the role of Reverend Samuel Gardner.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was born in Dublin. In 1898, Shaw published PLAYS PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT. It included, among many, WIDOWER'S HOUSES and MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION both attacking social hypocrisy. Other notable plays of Shaw were CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA, ANDROCLES AND THE LION, MAJOR BARBARA, THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA, CANDIDA, and PYGMALION.

Charlotte Moore, Director, is Co-Founder (with Ciarán O'Reilly) and Artistic Director of The Irish Repertory Theatre. She most recently directed the world premiere adaptation of BEOWULF, adapted and directed FINIAN'S RAINBOW, and directed Samuel Beckett's ENDGAME. Other directorial credits include Dion Boucicault's THE COLLEEN BAWN, J. Harley manners' PEG O' MY HEART, J.M. Synge's PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD and Dion Boucicault's THE STREET'S OF NEW YORK, which she adapted and scored.

Set design Dan Kuchar, costumes design by David Toser, lighting design by Mary Jo Dondlinger, sound design by Murmod, Inc., wig and hair design by Robert-Charles Vallance, casting by Laura Maxwell-Scott, Elis Arroyo Production Stage Manager, and Rebecca Goldenstein-Glaze Stage Manager. Charlotte Moore, Artistic Director, Ciarán O'Reilly, Producing Director, Patrick A. Kelsey, Managing Director.

Performances of MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION are Wednesday – Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM. Holiday schedule: additional performances are scheduled on Tuesday, December 20 at 8 PM and Tuesday, December 27 at 8 PM; no performance at 8 PM on Saturday, December 24; no performance at 3 PM on Sunday, December 25; and no performance at 3 PM on Sunday, January 1.

Tickets are $50 and $45 and can be purchased by calling The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737. For more information call (212) 727-2737 visit www.irishrep.org.

About The Irish Repertory Theatre

Currently being performed is the world premiere adaptation of BEOWULF. Its final performance has been extended to November 27, 2005. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE's Musical Director Lenny Pickett (Composer/Lyricist) and Lindsey Turner (Lyricist) have adapted this epic tenth century poem into a twenty first century ritualistic rock opera.

In the past eighteen years, The Irish Repertory Theatre has presented major works by O'Casey, Synge, Shaw, Wilde, Dion Boucicault, Brendan Behan, Dylan Thomas, and Samuel Beckett, as well as the contemporary artistry of Hugh Leonard, Frank McCourt, Tom Murphy, Brian Friel, Peter Sheridan, Patricia Burke Brogan, Pat McCabe, Geraldine Aron, Jennifer Johnston, Tommy Makem, Shivaun O'Casey, Enda Walsh and Harold Prince. The Irish Repertory Theatre received the 2005 Lucille Lortel "Outstanding Body of Work" award and won the New York Drama Desk Award for "Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama." In 1995, The Irish Repertory Theatre moved to its present location on West 22nd Street, New York City. It is currently undertaking an eight million dollar capital campaign to purchase its theatre, rehearsal studio, and administrative offices.