[Montreal] Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!- at Theatre Ste. Catherine Mar.4-9

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Kick off Montreal's Irish season with the irrepressible Carmel O'Reilly

Derry Queen

Presents

Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!

A new play by Colleen Curran

Directed by Corey Castle

Tuesday, March 4 – Sunday, March 9

Seven shows only

Montreal, February 2008 – Don't miss this big Irish party in a little black box. Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite! is Colleen Curran's rollicking new comedy with music, from March 4 to 9, playing at Theatre Ste. Catherine.

The year is 1998, the place is Ireland. Outside, the Celtic Tiger is roaring to beat the band. Inside the concert lounge of Ballymalarkey Castle, cabaret star Carmel O'Reilly and her accompanist/brother, Michael, are getting ready for another busload of North American tourists eager for a relaxing evening of ballads, banter and blarney. But tonight's performance may not be quite the song and dance anyone on this coach tour had in mind.

Montreal playwright, novelist and actor Colleen Curran takes us to an Ireland of yore and lore, where O'Reilly's Hollywood vision of brassy redheads, Bing Crosby and The Quiet Man collides with real life and a contemporary Eire of U2, The Commitments and Dublin sprawl.

Curran describes the inspiration behind her newest work, "The song and dance that Carmel puts on is very much what tourists used to think Ireland was. This is not the case any more; especially in light of the economic boom so grand that Ireland's new nickname became the Celtic Tiger." She continues, "While Ireland has moved on, Carmel O'Reilly has not. If there's any hope of the two Ireland's meeting, it's via Carmel O'Reilly."

Corey Castle directs Colleen Curran and Glenn Roy (with a cameo appearance by Janis Kirshner) in this funny and endearing play that will have the audience up on their feet, singing along and winning prizes to boot! Castle appreciates the universality of the piece; "There's something about seeing the little guy/gal succeed against all odds that is timeless." Set design by Bertrand Simard. Costumes by Debbie McGlynn.

If Irish eyes are smiling, it's because of Carmel O'Reilly!

Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!

By Colleen Curran

Tuesday, March 4-Sunday, March 9, 2008

Theatre Ste. Catherine

264 Ste-Catherine St. East (Metro Berri-UQAM)

Seven shows only!

Tuesday to Saturday 8:00 p.m.

Matinˆ©es: Saturday & Sunday 2:00 p.m.

$20 Regular / $17 Students, seniors, artists

Reservations: 514-284-3939 or reservations@theatrestecatherine.com