Dark Comedy By Irish Author Opens On St. Paddy's Day In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT - In 1959 Dublin, a young British soldier is held captive by the Irish Republican Army while an equally young IRA volunteer awaits execution for killing a policeman. If the British carry out the Irishman's sentence, the IRA will do the same to the Englishman. Playwright Brendan Behan, himself a former IRA member, took this dire premise to mold a sly political satire and local audiences can see it when THE HOSTAGE plays in The Dressing Room Theatre, Stamford, from March 17 to April 3.

Behan, the often- drunk Irish author, shows how prejudice, blind stupidity and love of convention combine to kill an innocent young man. The play is set in a Dublin lodging house inhabited by two whores, two homosexuals, a caretaker, and an old Englishman named Monsewer who came to fight for Ireland's independence 45 years ago and has never given up the cause. A Russian sailor, two officers of the Irish Republican Army, a few Catholic social workers and a man named Princess Grace also drift across the stage.

The language and situations in the production are not intended for younger audiences according to producer, Lou Ursone. "I saw the play at The Hartman Theatre here in Stamford more than 30 years ago and have wanted to work on a production of it since", Ursone said. "It's definitely not family-fare and is very different in its style and presentation, but director Karen Randazzo and her cast have really taken these characters to new heights," he added. Randazzo has directed many productions at Curtain Call including THE SOUND OF MUSIC, FOLLIES, DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE, I REMEMBER MAMA, BUS STOP and SWEET CHARITY.

While not a conventional musical, the play includes several pub-style songs. And though not a Neil Simon laugh-fest, the humor comes in its political satire while delving into the harsh realities of the IRA, death and prejudice.

The cast includes many past Curtain Call performers: Cathy Cordaro, Steve Benko, Scott Faubel, Gail Yudain, Ted Yudain, Jacquie Carlsen, Emily Vrissis and Andre Herzegovitch, along with newcomers Norris Wakefield, Anastasia Marcos, Byron O'Hanlon, Justin Lockwood and Olivia Walsh. The production design is by Peter Barbieri, Jr. with costumes by Terry Hanson.

THE HOSTAGE will play in The Dressing Room Theatre from March 17 through April 3 ,Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at2:00pm. Regular prices are $32 for adults, $24 for senior citizens and $16 for students and children. Thrifty Thursday pricing – all seats $22. Box Office: 203-461-6358 or online atwww.curtaincallinc.com. Discounted flex pass subscriptions offer savings of more than 25% off regular adult prices.

Curtain Call is the award-winning, nonprofit community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre. After-school, evening and weekend educational workshops in the performing arts are also offered year-round for ages five through adult. A full listing of what’s offered and the teaching artists on staff are available at www.curtaincallinc.com. Curtain Call’s 25th anniversary season continues through June 30 with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, CITY OF ANGELS and many other special events.

PHOTOS

Hostage 4: The titular character of Brendan Behan's quirky, dark comedy, The Hostage, playing in Curtain Call's Dressing Room Theatre, Stamford, March 17 thru April 3 is played by Byron O'Hanlon (seated). Seen here guarding the hostage is Justin Lockwood.

Hostage 5: Running a "respectable" home with a collection of "working women", homosexuals and assorted misfits, is not an easy thing for Pat and Meg in Brendan Behan's quirky, dark comedy - The Hostage - playing in Curtain Call's Dressing Room Theatre, Stamford, March 17 thru April 3. Seen here are Cathy Cordaro (seated) and Jim Eaton in rehearsal for this Irish author's best-known work.

Hostage Yudains: Real life husband and wife, Ted and Gail play opposite each other (sort of) in Brendan Behan's quirky, dark comedy - The Hostage - playing in Curtain Call's Dressing Room Theatre, Stamford, March 17 thru April 3.