Premiere Reading of Charles Messina's 'Reality Theatre Play' February 28

Badlands Stage and Film Company in association with NahNotOutsideMyHouse! Productions Inc. is proud to present the world premiere reading of Charles Messina's new play, THE GREAT DIVIDE. The show features "Tony 'n Tina's Wedding" cast members Ernie Curcio, Johnny Tammaro and Gina Ferranti. THE GREAT DIVIDE will be read on Monday February 28, 2005 at The Irish Rogue, 356 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues) at 7:30pm.

When Paul admits to his wife Sara that he has a "feeling" for his co-worker, Nicole, it triggers a series of events that change his life forever. In the end, Paul finds himself torn between Sara and Nicole, and unable to choose between the two. That's where the audience comes in.

THE GREAT DIVIDE offers its audience a unique and interactive theatergoing experience: They get to decide Paul's fate! Should he stay with Sara or leave his marriage for Nicole? Should he be on his own? This twist, coined Reality Theater allows the audience to vote for the ending of their choice. Only they can bridge the Great Divide.

Badlands Stage and Film Company is the brainchild of producers Scott Brooks and Joseph Patrick Kavanagh. Following last season's successful run of Richard Vetere's Rockaway Boulevard at The Lion Theater on Theatre Row, Badlands is now moving its series of new play readings from the Gershwin Hotel to The Irish Rogue. THE GREAT DIVIDE marks their inaugural presentation and their second collaboration with Messina, who also directed Rockaway Boulevard.

Messina's past writing and directing credits include the Off-Broadway hits Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God and Cirque Jacqueline. Messina will be directing the Broadway musical Be My Love, about the tragic tenor Mario Lanza, produced by Sonny Grosso and Phil Ramone. He also wrote the feature film Spy, starring Vincent Pastore, Frank Vincent, and Ben Curtis, which will be released in late 2005.

NahNotOutsideMyHouse! Productions' name was inspired by Robert DeNiro's response to Messina when the young writer attempted to pitch a script to the movie star outside his TriBeCa home.

Reservations can be made by calling 212-252-6910. Suggested donation is $10. Join us for cocktails at 7pm. A full dinner menu is available before and after the show. The reading begins at 7:30pm.