Evan Zes to Join MAN AND SUPERMAN at Irish Repertory Theatre

Evan Zes, seen previously at Irish Repertory Theatre in WHITE WOMAN STREET and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, joins the cast of George Bernard Shaw's masterpiece, MAN AND SUPERMAN, starting June 20, at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street), with performances through July 1. Mr. Zes succeeds Jonathan Hammond in the roles of Mendoza and The Devil.

MAN AND SUPERMAN is a co-production by Irish Repertory Theatre and Gingold Theatrical Group, being presented as part of Irish Rep's 24thSeason and GTG's first-ever "Shaw New York" festival. GTG's artistic director, David Staller, directs his adaptation of this remarkable comedy, performed with its rarely seen "interior play" DON JUAN IN HELL.

MAN AND SUPERMAN is generally considered to be one of Shaw's comedic masterpieces. The story involves the simple premise of a man, Jack Tanner, determined not to marry his ward, Ann Whitefield, who is equally determined to land him. Ann Chases Jack from London, across the channel, into the mountains of Spain, and even to Hell and back (in the famous dream scene of DON JUAN IN HELL). The play has not been given a production in New York in twenty-five years.

In addition to Mr. Zes, the cast the cast of MAN AND SUPERMAN includes Will Bradley, Janie Brookshire, Laurie Kennedy, Max Gordon Moore, Paul O'Brien, Margaret Loesser Robinson, Brian Sgambati, Zachary Spicer, and Tony Award-nominee Brian Murray.

The production features set design by James Noone; lighting design by Kirk Bookman; costume design by Theresa Squire; sound design by M.Florian Staab; and hair and wig design by Robert-Charles Vallance. Production stage manager is Elis C. Arroyo. Assistant stage manager is
Arthur Atkinson.

David Staller is founder/artistic director of New York's Gingold Theatrical Group, the company that produces the monthly performance series PROJECT SHAW, now in its seventh sold-out year. He is the first person ever to direct performances of all of Shaw's 65 plays and is a frequent international lecturer about all things Shaw. GTG is devoted to presenting work about Human Rights. Staller has directed across the U.S. and internationally, including last season's acclaimed production of Shaw's CANDIDA at the Two River Theater Company. With GTG he has created educational programs at Baruch College and at Lighthouse International for inner-city teens, exploring the Shavian precepts of the power of the individual. For more information, visit
www.projectshaw.com

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS. The mission of the theatre was and remains to bring works by Irish and Irish American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences; to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish American experience; and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well asa range of other cultures. Ms. Moore and Mr. O'Reilly recently received the 2011 Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award from Irish  American Writers & Artists, Inc.

Performances of MAN AND SUPERMAN run through July 1 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues):Wednesdays at 3pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $55 and $65, and are available by calling 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.

For more information, visit www.irishrep.org