A benefit reading of “Eirebrushed” by Brian Merriman

New York City’s oldest LGBT theater company and its all-inclusive St. Patrick’s Day parade have joined forces to present a benefit reading of Brian Merriman’s new play, “Eirebrushed,” at the Irish Arts Center, Wednesday, January 21 at 7:30pm.

“Eirebrushed” premiered at the 2014 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival to sellout houses, extensive coverage in the Irish media and discussion on the floor of the Irish Senate. Merriman’s play depicts four of the heroes and heroines of the Irish Rebellion of 1916 whose lives as gay men and lesbian were downplayed or erased; one of the historical figures was literally airbrushed out of the official picture of the surrender to the British.

Directed by TOSOS (“The Other Side of Silence”) Artistic Director Mark Finley, the reading features a cast of Irish and American actors. Performance artist/novelist Honor Molloy will play Elizabeth O’Farrell, who carried the flag of surrender, only to be removed from the picture; award-winning actor and producer Aedin Moloney (Dancing at Lughnasa, Irish Rep) will play author, labor organizer and activist Eva Gore Booth, who advocated for her sister, Countess Markewicz and for Sir Roger Casement; playwright and actor Chris Weikel (Penny Penniworth, Talk of the Town, The 39 Steps) will play Roger Casement, the British peer executed for his role in helping get weapons to the Rebellion; Nicholas Wuehrmann (James Joyce’s The Dead) will play Padraig Pearse, the schoolmaster-turned-revolutionary.

The theater and the parade’s organizers have joined together to present the reading as a benefit for both non-profit groups.

Tickets are $25 and on sale now. The event includes the reading, and a reception afterward with light refreshments.