Irish Rep Presents TRYST

Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) continues its 23rd Season with TRYST, Karoline Leach's romantic thriller about two lost souls and their secrets, set to begin previews on the company's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage on July 1, prior to its official press opening July 7. Joe Brancato, whose Off-Broadway credits include COBB, directs.

TRYST is a riveting romantic thriller set in Edwardian London. Part romance, part psychological thriller, TRYST tells the story of handsome con-man George Love, who preys on well-off women, wooing them, marrying them, and leaving them penniless and husbandless the day after the honeymoon...that is, until he meets his match in lonely milliner Adelaide Pinchin. TRYST is an intense and tantalizing play intended for mature audiences.

Mark Shanahan, who recently starred in the Irish Rep's THE SHAUGHRAUN, stars as George and is joined by Andrea Mauella in the role of Adelaide.

The production has scenic design by Michael Schweikardt; lighting design by Martin Vreeland; costume design by Alejo Vietti; and sound design by Johnna Doty. Production stage manager is Michael Palmer; assistant stage manager is Arthur Atkinson.

Karoline Leach is a British playwright and author, best known for her book "In the Shadow of the Dreamchild," which re-examines the life of Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Prior to becoming a writer, she studied acting and worked as both an actor and
director in British theatre. Her first professionally produced work, as a writer, was an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's THE SNOW QUEEN, commissioned by Orchard Theatre Company in 1989. TRYST is her first major play, which was initially produced under the title THE MYSTERIOUS MR. LOVE in London's West End in 1997.

Hailed by the New York Times as "one of America's most insightful directors," Joe Brancato's Off-Broadway credits include: COBB (Drama Desk winner); FROM DOOR TO DOOR; ONE SHOT ONE KILL; THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUE OF Bessie Smith; Ricky Ian Gordon's THE MATTER OF MINUTES; ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS (starring Marsha Mason); THE BIG SWING (starring Madeline Kahn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Marisa Tomei) and DR. VALENTINE'S WALTZ (starring John Turturro, Laura Linney, Gina Gershon, Jane Alexander); and HOLD THE WEDDING. He has directed throughout the United States and is found and Artistic Director for Penguin Rep in Rockland County, New York. He commissioned and originally directed the play THE MAN WHO WAS PETER PAN, which is the basis for the Oscar-nominated film "Finding Neverland," starring Johnny Depp.

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 as a range of other cultures.

Karoline Leach's TRYST runs July 1-August 21 at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues): Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm; plus 3pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 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