What would drive a man to such despair that he would consider ending his life? That is the question that is the inspiration for The Irish Curse. Playwright Martin Casella had heard a version of a story where a man was headed to the Brooklyn Bridge to end his life when he passed by a an open window and heard a group of people joyously speaking in his native tongue. Not knowing them, he went inside and was warmly welcomed. His life was changed. He found a family for him to belong.
The Irish Curse is set in a dingy church basement in Brooklyn Heights. It’s a support group for men who believe they are affected with “the Irish curse.” They set out going around with their usual stories and complaints when a newcomer, Keiran (played by Charlie Cromer) arrives. When anyone new comes in, each member takes turns telling their personal stories and reasons for being there.
The group’s been meeting for nearly a year, but it is in the presence of this newcomer that many truths are revealed and realizations are made.
It takes a strong and secure actor to talk so freely about men’s insecurities. Casella agrees. He shared that when he was opening the play in New York, the casting director had a large number of actors set to audition. Over half of them cancelled once they read the play because they did not wish to have their names tied to such subject matter.
When Paul Moon read for the part of Stephen, he thought his real life persona was close to the controlling and manipulative ways of the character and shared that thought with director Matt Lenz. To which Lenz responded laughingly, “Great, I can’t wait to work with you!”
All of the men work well together. This is a storytelling play and each man has his turn to tell his story. They each do it in a different way that is equally moving and touching. And of course there are lots of laughs and raunchy language. One of the highlights is when Stephen starts to equate a man’s size to his ethnicity. Which is a silly way to think, but it is easier to break people down that way. The whole group starts chanting out an ethnic group and what they think their size would be. It’s a great moment for the actors and the audience.
Everyone has something about themselves that they don’t like. But that’s not what makes you who you are. “I am not my penis. I only think I am,” is the self-esteem line used to help the group. The Irish Curse is a fantastic ensemble play with a diverse group of men. It’s a nice change to see men honestly revealing and discussing their vulnerabilities.
The Short North Stage presents the adult comedy, Saturday, March 17 at 8 PM and Sunday, March 18 at 3PM. The show will run through April 1. The author, Martin Casella, and Broadway director Matt Lenz, will hold a talk-back after the show after the Saturday, March 17 evening performance, followed by a St Patrick’s Day meet-the-cast party, starting around 10:30pm. Ticket prices for the show are $22 for General Seating. The play runs about 90 minutes and is presented without an intermission. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit shortnorthstage.org.