The prestigious Irish Arts Center in New York is welcoming back Red Roses And Petrol on Monday, October 19, at 8 p.m. Originally shown there in October 2000 in the form of Joseph O’Connor’s wickedly funny play, the Irish family story will be reintroduced to audiences as film via a special screening in honor of the DVD release. “It’s truly a full-circle moment to bring Red Roses And Petrol back there,” enthuses director Tamar Simon Hoffs who first felt inspired by the story after seeing it performed there. [With the screening], I’m hoping to embrace the far-reaching Irish community in Manhattan.” The Irish Arts Center is located at 553 West 51 Street, New York, NY 10019. For tickets, which run $10 for general admission and $8 for members, visit http://www.irishartscenter.org/film.htm or call (212) 868-4444.

In 1995… Years before Red Roses and Petrol was a twinkle in director Tamar Simon Hoffs’ mind, it was published as the debut offering by Irish playwright Joseph O’Connor and won the “Best New Irish Play” award. It was first staged that year by the Pigsback Theatre Company at Dublin’s Project Centre Arts Theater before going on to packed houses at the Tricycle Theatre in London. In 2002, the play was staged again at New York’s Irish Arts Center with actor, teacher, and renowned author Frank McCourt (“Angela’s Ashes”) in the starring role of Enda Doyle.