Actors’ NET of Bucks County Presents THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN 4/29-5/15

The Actors' NET of Bucks County continues its 15th season with an irreverent and un-politically correct comedy, The Cripple of Inishmaan.

David Swartz of Ambler directs Martin McDonagh's outrageous comedy set on a small Irish island in the 1930s. When a Hollywood film crew visits a neighboring island to make a film, the star struck locals go loopy to be in the film - including a homely crippled lad, the orphaned Billy Claven. Despite being mocked for his ambition by his eccentric family and friends, Billy is stubbornly determined to become a star.

"When it came to prospecting for rich humor, unusual characters and awkward
situations, the playwright found a vein laden with treasure of the most delightful nature,"
Swartz said of McDonagh's un-politically correct script. "The characters berate one
another with a gleeful wild abandon and no one is safe from their barbs."

Swartz has high praise for his cast "which will fulfill and exceed the author's
expectations, with their unbounded energy and enthusiasm for the work."

Michael Gearty of Langhorne stars in the title role, alongside Theresa Swartz of

Ambler and Giz Coughlin of Doylestown who play the pixilated aunts who raised him.

Allison Deratzian of Doylestown co stars as the rowdy young girl Billy secretly pines for, while Evan O'Rourke of Yardley portrays her dim-witted brother. John Helmke of Yardville, NJ is featured as Inishmaan's resident heartthrob and Mickey Levitan of Allentown, NJ plays the beleaguered country doctor who tends to the misfit islanders. 

"And, in an unprecedented and unusual event for Actors' NET," Swartz added, "I've got both Cheryl and Joe Doyle (the theatre's co-founders) on stage acting opposite 

each other. She plays a drunken old lady and he plays her son, the town gossip who is
encouraging her to drink herself to death! Many NET season ticket holders will be
chuckling about their performances for some time to come."

Kelly E. Allen of Arneytown, NJ stage manages. Director David Swartz designed the set. Lighting design is by Andrena Wishnie of Morrisville. 

Running weekends April 29 - May 15, The Cripple of Inishmaan is produced by special arrangement with the Dramatists Play Service, Inc. It performs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The Heritage Center is located at 635 N. Delmorr Avenue (Route 32), Morrisville, PA - near the Calhoun Street Bridge. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $10 for children 12 and under (note that parental guidance is advised due to language and subject matter). 

To reserve, call the nonprofit theatre company at 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@aol.com. The NET website is www.actorsnetbucks.org. Those wishing to purchase tickets on-line may do so at www.brownpapertickets.com.

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