Irish Rep Continues New Works Reading Series with Lisa Tierney-Keogh's FOUR LAST THINGS, 1/29

The Irish Repertory Theatre continues its NEW WORKS READING SERIES to support new plays and emerging playwrights with a free staged reading of Lisa Tierney-Keogh's FOUR LAST THINGS on Friday, January 29 at 3pm at Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in Manhattan.

Tickets are free, and the event is open to the public. An RSVP to 212-727-2737 is suggested.

FOUR LAST THINGS will read by David Wilson Barnes ("Becky Shaw," "The Lieutenant of Inishmore"), Larry Bryggman ("Groundswell," "Romance") and Aya Cash ("Killers and Other Family," "Three Changes").

In FOUR LAST THINGS, Janey is dropping out. Out of college, away from friends, out of her other life. Stuck on her family farm, yearning for Dublin, she wants to swap the green fields for a concrete jungle and the endless quiet for ceaseless noise. With a father she can't talk to, and a dog that can't talk back to her, Janey bows out and chooses no to life. This is an emotionally charged journey of a young woman's battle with herself. A play that vigorously explores our most secret beliefs, FOUR LAST THINGS ponders death, judgment, heaven and hell.

Playwright Lisa Tierney-Keogh has trained with the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York, The Second City and Screen Training Ireland. Her work has been performed in Smock Alley Theatre, Project Arts Centre, Crypt Arts Centre and Draiocht Theatre in Dublin and at the Soho Theatre in London. Lisa won the Irish Times Theatre Awards Bursary in 2002 and was nominated for the Stewart Parker Trust/BBC New Writing Awards, Ireland's most prestigious new writing award. She was a Writer-In-Residence through Poetry Ireland's Writers-In-Schools Scheme and has had articles published in the Irish Times, Evening Herald and Sunday Independent. Lisa has received writing bursary awards from the Arts Council of Ireland, Dublin City Council, Screen
Training Ireland and The Peggy Ramsay Foundation. In 2009, Lisa was a finalist for the BBC Tony Doyle Award and was invited on to the inaugural New Playwrights Programme at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Her sixth stage play, FOUR LAST THINGS, sold out half way through its run at the 2009 Dublin Fringe Festival and was nominated for four awards including Best New Play and Best Production.

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."

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 Charlotte Moore, Artistic Director, and Ciaran O'Reilly, Producing Director, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars and is celebrating its 22nd 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 Irish Repertory Theatre is its acclaimed revival of ERNEST IN LOVE, a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Directed by Charlotte
Moore, the musical recently extended through February 14. The Irish Repertory's production of THE EMPEROR JONES, directed by Ciaran O'Reilly and starring John Douglas Thompson, continues through January 31 at SoHo Playhouse. Beginning previews on February 24 at Irish Repertory Theatre will be George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA, directed by Tony Walton and starring Melissa Errico and Brian Murray. Opening for CANDIDA is set for March 7.

Tickets for the NEW WORKS READING SERIES presentation of Lisa Tierney-Keogh's FOUR LAST THINGS are free and open to the public. Seating is limited. An RSVP to The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at 212-727-2737 is suggested.

For more information about the NEW WORKS READING SERIES and IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE's current season, visit www.irishrep.org.