PLANET BELFAST Kicks Off Irish Rep's 2013-14 Reading Series Today

The Irish Repertory Theatre begins the eighth season of its Reading Series with a staged reading of RoseMary Jenkinson's play PLANET BELFAST today, September 20 at 3 p.m. (EDT) at the Irish Repertory Theatre's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). The reading is free and open to the public. An RSVP to the Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737 is suggested.

RoseMary Jenkinson's PLANET BELFAST is a witty, ambitious new play about choices . . . the ones we make for the public good versus the ones we make for private gain. Alice, Belfast's only Green politician, plans to save Northern Ireland from the influence of big corporations, while at home she hopes a new baby will save her marriage. Her husband, Martin, is a controversial historian who is secretly planning an explosive new book, while his boss, Danny, is fighting to secure funding for victims of the Troubles. When their friend Claire unexpectedly re-enters their lives, the past and the future collide spectacularly right over Belfast.

PLANET BELFAST will be read by Kelly AuCoin (THE CALL, JULIUS CAESAR), Stella Feehily (THE SEAGULL at The Culture Project), Drew McVety (CYRANO DE BERGERAC, CHARLES IVES TAKE ME HOME) and Rachel Pickup (A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT, AIRSWIMMING).

RoseMary Jenkinson (Playwright) is from Belfast. Her first play, THE BONEFIRE, was produced by Rough Magic at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2006 and won the Stewart Parker BBC Radio Award. THE WINNERS was produced by Ransom in 2008 and was part of the Irish Rep reading series. JOHNNY MEISTER + THE STITCH was produced by Jigsaw in 2008 and toured to the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe Festivals before being staged by Solas Nua in Washington DC. THE LEMON TREE was performed by Origin at the 1st Irish Festival 2009 in New York. STELLA MORGAN, BASRA BOY AND CUCHULLAIN were produced by the Keegan Theatre in Washington DC. Other plays include WHITE STAR OF THE NORTH (Lyric), GHOSTS OF DRUMGLASS (Kabosh), MEETING MISS IRELAND (Abbey Theatre) and CASTLEREAGH TO KANDAHAR (BBC Radio 3). She was writer-on-attachment at The National Theatre Studio in London 2010. She is also a short story writer and her collection, Contemporary Problems Nos. 53 & 54, was published by Lagan Press in 2004. Future productions are BASRA BOY by Brassneck and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S RIOT by the Keegan. PLANET BELFAST was produced by Tinderbox Theatre Company in Belfast 2013.

The Irish Repertory Theatre encourages the development of works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures. Kara Manning, Irish Repertory Theatre's Literary Manager, say's "Irish Rep's Reading Series gives playwrights, both emerging and more established, the invaluable opportunity to develop their new work in a supportive, safe environment. The series also allows us to introduce the emerging Irish playwrights -- those who might not yet have the New York recognition they merit -- to an American audience."

The 2013-14 Irish Rep Reading Series is underwritten in part by Alexis Doyle, Patricia Smith, and the members of the Irish Rep's Patron's Circle.

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre will launch its 26th season with a revival of Sean O'Casey's JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, directed by Charlotte Moore. With a cast that features, among others, J. Smith-Cameron as Juno Boyle, Ciarán O'Reilly as "Captain" Jack Boyle, and John Keating as Joxer Daly, JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK will begin performances on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at the Irish Repertory Theatre. On October 16th, the company continues its 2013-14 Season with the New York premiere of A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT, a presentation of three of Samuel Beckett's short plays, with direction and puppet design by Bob Flanagan.

Founded by Ciarán O'Reilly and Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars. The Irish Rep is currently the only year-round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage. Recognized with the Jujamcyn Theatres Award, a special Drama Desk Award for "Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama," and the Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Body of Work," The Irish Rep has celebrated the very best in Irish theatre for over twenty years, from the masters to the new generation of Irish and Irish American writers who are transforming the stage. Nearly 38,000 audience members annually attend productions at our theatre located in the heart of New York's Off Broadway community. Once here, they witness The Irish Rep's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.

For more information visit www.irishrep.org.

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