New Works Series Presents Christine Evans' CAN'T COMPLAIN Reading

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) continues its fifth season of the New Works Reading Series, supporting new plays and emerging playwrights, with a free reading of Christine Evans's CAN'T COMPLAIN on Friday, February 18 at 3 p.m. at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan.

The cast of CAN'T COMPLAIN includes Orlagh Cassidy (ARISTOCRATS, THE FIELD), Kelley Greene (WINTER'S TALE, SKIN OF OUR TEETH), Andy Paris (A WORLD APART, OR), and Mary Beth Peil ("The Good Wife," WOMEN ON THE
VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN).

In CAN'T COMPLAIN, Rita hates being confined in a hospital, where her daughter Maureen has placed her for assessment after a small stroke. She plots her escape with the help of her elderly Irish roommate Iris, her granddaughter Jansis, and her cat's new best friend, the Devil.
Rita battles her present situation--until a riotous party night with Iris and the Devil collapses her escape plan and brings her face to face with The Remains of her past.

Playwright Christine Evans's plays include THE UNDERPASS, TROJAN BARBIE, WEIGHTLESS, MOTHERGUN, and THE BALLAD OF THE LOST DOGS. Her play SLOW FALLING BIRD was presented as part of the New Works Series in 2009. Published by Samuel French, Smith & Kraus and in Theater Forum, her work has received multiple productions and awards in her native Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. Honors include a Rockefeller Bellagio Center Residency Award, a Fulbright Award, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Playwriting Award, Perishable Theatre's
Women's Playwriting Festival Award, the Jane Chambers Award, "Plays for the 21st Century" Award and others. Evans received both her M.F.A. and Ph.D. from Brown and teaches playwriting at Harvard.

Literary Manager Kara Manning hopes that the reading series will "give playwrights, both emerging and more established, the invaluable opportunity to develop their new work in a supportive, safe
environment and will also introduce some Irish playwrights, especially those who might not yet have the New York recognition they merit, to an American audience." The Irish Repertory Theatre's 2007 production of Stuart Carolan's DEFENDER OF THE FAITH and 2010 world premiere of
Kelly Younger's BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE were alumni of the New Works Reading Series.

As part of its mission, The Irish Repertory Theatre "encourages the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish-American experience, as well as a range of other cultures."

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 and is celebrating its 23rd Season. 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.

Currently at the Irish Repertory Theatre is its acclaimed revival of Brian Friel's MOLLY SWEENEY, directed by Charlotte Moore, with performances through March 13. The production co-stars Jonathan Hogan, Geraldine Hughes and Ciarán O'Reilly. Also at the Irish Rep is the world premiere of Thomas Kilroy's MY SCANDALOUS LIFE, starring Des Keogh as Lord AlFred Douglas. Directed by John Going, and featuring Fiana Toibin), the play runs through March 6.

The 2010-2011 New Works Reading Series is underwritten in part by Alexis Doyle, Patricia Smith, and the members of our Patron's Circle.

The reading of Christine Evans's CAN'T COMPLAIN on Friday, February 18 at 3 p.m. is FREE and open to the public at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Seating is limited. RSVP by calling The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737. For more information visit www.irishrep.org.