A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Irish Curse 2.0: The Diverse Curse (Revised Version)

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  5m

Martin Casella

This raucous, touching comedy about a self-help group for men with a particular physical “shortcoming” unmasks the comical and truthful questions of identity, masculinity, sex and relationships that men face every day.

Now, with The Irish Curse 2.0: The Diverse Curse, the play’s author has created a revised version to reflect the 2020 global call for equity and equality. Read more about the development of The Irish Curse 2.0 in Breaking Character.

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The Irish Curse 2.0: The Diverse Curse (Revised Version)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee! 2013 GLAAD Media Award, Outstanding Los Angeles Theater
Also Available
The Irish Curse (Virtual Version)
The Irish Curse

Details

Summary

What “The Irish Curse” is – and how it manifests itself – is the raw centerpiece of this wicked, rollicking and very funny new play. From its blistering language to its brutally honest look at sex and body image, The Irish Curse is a revealing portrait of how men, and society, define masculinity. In doing so, it dares to pose the fundamental question that has been on the minds of men since the beginning of time: “Do I measure up to the next guy?”

Now, with The Irish Curse 2.0: The Diverse Curse, the play’s author has created a revised version to reflect the 2020 national call for equity and equality. Since “size matters” to all men, and because the play’s title is a metaphor for an issue affecting men all over the world, this alternative version now exists for them, too.

Size matters to a small group of men who meet every Wednesday night, in a Catholic church basement, at a self-help group for men with small penises. This alleged Irish trait is the focus of their weekly sessions, as they all feel this "shortcoming" has ruined their lives. One evening, when a twentysomething blue-collar guy joins the group, he challenges everything the other men think about “the Irish Curse”... tackling their obsession with body image and unmasking the comical and truthful questions of identity, masculinity, sex and relationships that men face every day.

Read more about how and why The Irish Curse 2.0 came about in Breaking Character. 

History
The Irish Curse was first produced at the New York International Fringe Festival, summer 2005, where it won the festival’s Outstanding Playwriting Award. The play was subsequently performed in the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the 2007 Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival. It opened off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City in March 2010 and has since enjoyed many regional productions across the country.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

RICK BALDWIN – Early 20s, Japanese-American. A smart, optimist, fun-loving Staten Island stud who's studying sports medicine at a local NY college. Rick's the kind of guy who paints his face green, drinks a lot and hangs with his buds on St. Patrick's Day.

JOSEPH FLAHERTY – 40s, White. On the short side, stout and balding. Born in Savannah, Georgia, he's now an angry, liberal contracts lawyer who lives on the "way Upper West Side." His wife recently walked out, leaving him with two young daughters.

STEPHEN FITZGERALD – Late 30s, African-American. Tall, handsome gay cop from the Bronx. He's a moody, dark, taciturn smart-ass. Lives with his father, who's also a cop. Stephen never ever ever sees the glass as half full, although he would probably like to.

KEVIN SHAUNESSY – Late 40s to early 50s, White. A Catholic priest, originally from Boston. He's the principal of a parochial school in Brooklyn Heights which donates rooms to various support groups. A sweet, caring guy with acting aspirations. Actually looks like he could play a priest on TV.

KEIRAN RILEY – Late 20s, White. Nice-looking, middle class guy from Queens who works at a roofing company. Keiran is exuberant, very nervous and very sincere. He's also really Irish and someone you'd want to be your best friend.

It is important Stephen be in his late 30s, very good-looking and tall. Joseph needs to be short in stature, balding, and chubby, if possible. Rick should be 22 at the very most; he must look as if he runs and plays many sports. Fr. Kevin has to look as if he could play a priest on television: witty, trustworthy, decent, maybe even with steel gray hair. Kieran should be nice-looking, good-humored and sincere. The play really works when they all look different and are different shapes and sizes.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting A contemporary basement meeting hall in a Catholic church in Brooklyn, New York.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Intense Adult Themes
    • Strong Language

Media

“Critic’s Pick! Colorful character-driven comedy.” – Time Out New York

“Casella is at his best when he’s going for laughs. He gets a lot of them.” – The New York Times

“ONE OF THE BEST PLAYS OF THE YEAR! Truly original, truly hysterical and truly touching! You will be enthralled!” – Talk Entertainment

“The Irish Curse is a very human and even humane play. You will find yourself rooting for these esteem-building sessions to succeed.” – Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

The Irish Curse 2.0
by Martin Casella
March 17, 2020

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

Martin Casella

Martin Casella

Martin Casella's plays include The Irish Curse (New York off-Broadway, London, Los Angeles, Edinburgh, Dublin, L.A., Outstanding Playwriting Award, FringeNYC; published by Samuel French), Scituate (Best New Play, SCFTA), Mates (L.A. WEEKLY Award, Best New Play), Paydirt, Dese ...

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