Straddler Presents TROUSERS And CEREBRAL VARIETY CIRCUS, 3/24-4/9

This March, The Straddler will present its second theatrical production, Trousers by Dan Monaco. A bruisingly comic play that pits two men against one another-one wearing a fifteen-foot pair of trousers, one not wearing any trousers at all-the piece explores some of the more desperate corners of our society and aims to answer the question: just what does it mean to wear a pair of pants?

Trousers marks the second foray into live performance for the company. The multidisciplinary organization seeks to examine our social, political, and popular cultures by providing forums for thoughtful examination through its literary magazine-The Straddler-theatrical productions, concerts, and readings. The company produced its first play in the spring of 2010, Too Far Gone Out in the Middle of Nowhere by Todd Pate. Contributors to its literary magazine have included economist James Kenneth Galbraith (The Predator State), Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Davis (Hearts and Minds), poet Fanny Howe (The Winter Sun), and composer Yoav Gal (Mosheh).

Performances are on March 24, 25, 26, 31 (Thu-Sat) at 8pm and April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 (Thu-Sat) at 8pm. All tickets are $15 and may be purchased at www.irttheater.org.

On Sunday, April 3 at 4pm The Straddler will host a Cerebral Variety Circus. Proceeds raised will suppor The Straddler's programming and publishing. The evening will include a concert by cellist Fabrizio Mazzetta and classical saxophonist Philipp Stäudlin; comedy by Kenji America; readings by Peter Brown, Nate Gunsch, and Jessica Murray; performance by Carol Thomas; and visual art by Sam Duket, Mark Ostow, Megan Reed, and Eleanor Stride. For $20 reservations, visit www.thestraddler.com, click on "About."

Both shows will be presented at the Interborough Repertory Theater at 154 Christopher St.