Irish Rep to Present COLESLAW AND COCONUT CREAM PIE Free Reading

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) continues its sixth season of the Irish Rep Reading Series, with a free reading of Lans Traverse's COLESLAW AND COCONUT CREAM PIE on Friday, December 16 at 3 p.m. at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan.

The cast of COLESLAW AND COCONUT CREAM PIE includes Lynn Cohen (THREE SISTERS, CHASING MANET, "Sex and the City"); Rebecca Anderson (AUTUMN SONATA, THE COLLECTION, A KIND OF ALASKA); and Heather Raffo (NINE PARTS OF DESIRE, PALACE OF THE END).

In COLESLAW AND COCONUT CREAM PIE, two sisters -- battling different kinds of addictive and destructive behavior -- try to care for their ailing mother while negotiating the financial and emotional devastation of their family.

Playwright Lans Traverse was born in New Jersey. Her school years were divided between Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. She studied acting in the USA at Northwestern University, followed by the American Academy in New York City. From there, Ms. Traverse won a scholarship to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. COLESLAW AND COCONUT CREAM PIE, the first of four plays, was a finalist at the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights’ Conference and a runner-up in the 2010 Eileen Heckart Playwriting competition in Columbus Ohio, where it was given a staged reading. It has also had a staged reading in the UK at York’s Theatre Royal and will receive its London premiere in the autumn at Theatre 503. The second play, THE KISS OF THE SUN FOR PARDON, was a finalist for the Verity Bargate Award at London’s Soho Theatre and was
workshopped there last October. DRIFTWOOD, a finalist at both New York’s Summer Play Festival and the Great Plains Conference, had its world premiere in April 2010 at Houston’s Main Street Theatre. A screenplay adaptation of the same received the John Muir Gold Award at the 2010 Yosemite International Film Festival. LITTLE BETHLEHEM is Ms. Traverse's fourth and most recent play, just completed.

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 Reading Series.

As part of its mission, The Irish Repertory Theatre "encourages the development of 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 24th 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 on the Irish Repertory Theatre's main stage is the 20th anniversary production of Brian Friel's Tony Award-winning play, DANCING AT LUGHNASA. Directed by Charlotte Moore, DANCING AT LUGHNASA was recently extended through January 15. In its Studio Theatre, with
performances through December 31, is Dylan Thomas's A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES IN CONCERT, adapted and directed by Ms. Moore.

The 2011 Reading Series is underwritten in part by Alexis Doyle and the members of The Irish Repertory Theatre's Patron's Circle.

The reading of Lans Traverse's COLESLAW AND COCONUT CREAM PIE on Friday, December 16 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.