Gary Allen Productions presents the work which begins March 3 at the Kirk Theatre towards a March 12 opening. The playwright directs the run currently slated through March 26.

Paradise written by New York playwright O'Malley, follows the story of two girls, one Palestinian and one Israeli. Both girls — who in another time and place could have been friends — deal with their everyday life of homework, secret crushes and dreams while war persists around them.

The play is inspired by the true story of an 18-year-old Palestinian suicide bomber who killed three people, including herself and a fellow high school senior who was Israeli.

The cast of Paradise includes Sanaz Alexander, Janine Barris, Vaneik Echeverria, Arian Moayed and Carmen Roman. The design team features Austin K. Sanderson (set and costume), Phil Monat (lighting) and Matt Berman (sound).

The work was commissioned by The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for its 2002-2003 educational outreach program, which tours local schools. In January 2003, it was decided that the tour would be canceled as the play's content — and possible action to stop the production — became a growing concern in the community. The work would instead receive a free, public reading at the Ohio company's stage. O'Malley's Paradise is one of a trilogy of war plays by the scribe which also includes Concertina's Rainbow (which played at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 2001) and A Heartbeat To Baghdad which played at The Flea Theatre in Nov. 2004 with Gloria Reuben starring.

Tickets to Paradise at the Kirk Theatre, 410 West 42 St., are available by calling (212) 279-4200.