TheatreWorks Opens 45th Season With THE IRISH CURSE

On Friday, March 2nd, TheatreWorks New Milford opens its 2012 season with what's being described as "a scathingly funny and poignant modern comedy," The Irish Curse by Martin Casella. The show opens at 8:00 p.m. for a four-week run.

What "The Irish Curse" is – and how it manifests itself – is the raw centerpiece of this wicked, rollicking, and very funny new play. Size matters to a small group of Irish-American men who meet weekly in a Catholic church basement in New York City as part of a self-help group for guys who possess a certain anatomical "shortcoming." This alleged Irish trait is the focus of their weekly sessions as they all feel this "curse" has ruined their lives. The Irish Curse is a revealing portrait of how men, and society, define masculinity, male identity, and the relationships men must face each and every day of their lives.

"On paper, this play may sound like a sophomoric comedy loaded with jokes about guys' private parts," said director Robin Frome of New Milford. "Instead, the piece is a hilariously touching look at what it's like to be a man when the thing that makes you one is, well, not so big. It's both a humorous and fascinating look at the concept that if you're cursed "down there," your life is filled with unrelenting self-doubt, insecurity, depression, and failed relationships…but only if you let it."

"It should be noted that 'The Irish Curse' has nothing to do with drinking," said assistant director and stage manager Robyn Maitland of New Fairfield. "It is definitely for mature audiences, but it is by no means a slew of dirty jokes. All five of our actors possess a natural quality that makes their unique characters real people instead of caricatures. They also make the situation, that five men of different ages and walks of life would get together and actually talk about their 'shortcomings,' believable and also totally relatable to an audience…be they men, women, Irish, or non-Irish. A mature heart and mind will take something wonderful away from this experience."

The production features some of the region's finest actors: Michael Wright, Jonathan Ross, Glenn R. Couture, James Hipp, and Charles Roth.

Besides Frome and Maitland, the production crew includes a generous underwriting by executive producer Tillie Page Laird, set design by Glenn R. Couture, lighting design by Richard Pettibone and Scott Wyshynski, and sound design by Tom Libonate.

The Irish Curse had its world premiere at the New York International Fringe Festival with a sold-out run in 2005, garnering rave reviews and winning the Overall Excellence Award for Playwriting. The Associated Press said "The Irish Curse is a very human and even humane play. You will find yourself rooting for these esteem-building sessions to succeed."

On Thursday, March 1st, senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00pm.

Thursday, March 8th at 8:00pm is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket.

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