Irish Rep Reading of NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER Postponed Due to Snow

Due to the winter storm, Irish Repertory Theatre has postponed today's 3pm reading of Sean McLoughlin's NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER. The free reading has been rescheduled for Friday, March 5 at 3pm.

The cast of NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER includes Denis Butkus (MEASURE FOR MEASURE, THE COAST OF UTOPIA) and Annie Purcell (DIVIDING THE ESTATE, THE COAST OF UTOPIA).

In NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER, when Dublin's notorious Towers in Ballymun come down, Natalie will get a new flat and a new start. But when she meets Noah, her future is threatened by the chance of falling in love. The play is about two Dubliners, lost in life, struggling to leave their pasts behind. It is a comic love story, set in the heart of the suburbs of Ballymun, a suburb of Dublin that is currently undergoing social rejuvenation after decades of neglect and alienation. NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER premiered in April 2007 at the Axis in Ballymun and subsequently was awarded Best New Play at The Irish Times Theatre Awards and the Stewart Parker Trust Award.

As a young boy, playwright Sean McLoughlin wrote compulsively, winning many awards for his poetry and short stories. Sean started writing plays seriously when he was twenty-eight, much due to the encouragement of the playwright Aodhan Madden. NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER was his first play, and was produced by the Fishamble Theatre Company at the Axis Theatre, Ballymun in April 2007. NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER won Sean The Irish Times Best New Play Award and The Stewart Parker Trust Award for Best Newcomer. Sean is currently developing BIG OLE PIECE OF CAKE, a new piece for Fishamble Theatre; and he has also been commissioned to write a four part TV series for Accomplice/Samson Films. He is also finishing a new play, THE HAPPY HOUSE.

Kara Manning, Literary Manager, 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 was an alumnus of the 2006 New Works Reading Series.

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 and is currently celebrating its 21st Season. The Irish Rep is presently 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 two decades, 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 their theatre located in the heart of New York's Off-Broadway community. Once here, theatergoers witness The Irish Rep's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.

Currently at the Irish Rep, February 24-April 18, is George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA, directed by Tony Walton. Shaw's classic about a clergyman and his wife who captures the attention of a young poet, CANDIDA co-stars Melissa Errico, Brian Murray, Ciaran O'Reilly, Sam Underwood, Xanthe Elbrick and Josh Grisetti. Opening is set for March 7.

As part of its mission statement, 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." The next reading, presented as part of the New Works Reading Series, is slated for March 26; play to be announced. All readings are subject to schedule change. Readings are at 3 PM unless otherwise noted and are located at The Irish Repertory Theatre.

The reading of Sean McLoughlin's NOAH AND THE TOWER FLOWER on February 26 at 3:00pm 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 additional information about The New Works Reading Series and Irish Repertory, visit www.irishrep.org.