The Irish Repertory Theatre and Gingold Theatrical Group Extend MAN AND SUPERMAN Through 7/1

Irish Repertory Theatre and Gingold Theatrical Group announce a two-week extension of their co-production of Georger Bernard Shaw's masterpiece, MAN AND SUPERMAN, with performances now set to run through July 1 at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street), as part of Irish Rep's 24th Season 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.

Initially set to run through June 17, MAN AND SUPERMAN extends two weeks to July 1, on the strength of positive reviews and an enthusiastic audience response since opening May 6. In his Wall Street Journal Review, Terry Teachout called the revival, "a whale of a good time. Extremely well acted… and staged with propulsive comic force. A superior piece of work." New York Times critic Andy Webster wrote: "A sparkling revival. In its intellectual energy and exhilarating vivacity, this production honors Shaw's life force. For years, Mr. Staller has hosted Project Shaw… and his fluency is apparent." In his New York Post review, Frank Scheck noted that it is "a pleasure to sit back and let Shaw's witticisms sink in." Time Out New York's HeLen Shaw called the revival "[an] intelligent and charming production." In his Village Voice review, Michael Feingold wrote: "Shaw at his quirkiest. It offers the miracle of all well-played Shaw: It never feels long." Associated Press reviewer Jennifer Farrar described MAN AND SUPERMAN as "a thoughtful, bright and lively production. This luminous Irish Repertory production will resonate with audiences hungry for philosophical wit and humor." Theatermania.com's David Finkle called it a "thoroughly engaging production." And, Back Stage critic David Sheward proclaimed: "Staller delivers a jolly good time. This is an entertaining and well-staged Shavian production!"

The cast of MAN AND SUPERMAN includes Will Bradley, Janie Brookshire, Jonathan Hammond, 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 as a 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.

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