The true story of Operación Pedro Pan told through the lens of Neverland. A young woman in search of her Cuban roots meets a refugee boy from 1962 in a dream. A story of the Cuban exile experience that remains relevant in 2016. Directed by Jose Aviles, written by Iraisa Ann Reilly. Visit onedayoldtheplay.com.

$25 / 120 minutes

One Day Old deals with the subject of unaccompanied minors, Cuban Refugees, and the immigrant identity in the United States. In 2011, Playwright Iraisa Ann Reilly received a grant from the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Undergraduate and Scholarly Engagement to conduct research at the Cuban Heritage Collection in Miami. In August of 2016, Reilly was invited to be a member of the Marie Irene Fornes Playwrighting Workshop in Chicago. She is co-directing this play with her mentor and local Philadelphia director Jose Aviles. The play finds inspiration in a magical world, given that the historical event “Operacion Pedro Pan” is named for James Barrie’s “Peter Pan.” Great Ormond Street Hospital in London has benefited from Barrie’s Story for many years. In the same spirit, and in an effort to have a lasting impact that reaches beyond the stage, One Day Old has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia so that 10% of each ticket sold will go towards a donation to CHOP.

Iraisa Ann Reilly is an actor and playwright, working throughout Philadelphia, NJ, and NY. As an actor she has performed with Walnut Street Theatre’s Touring Outreach Program, Plays and Players, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and Power Street Theatre Company. Iraisa Ann has worked as a teaching artist for Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama program in Norristown, PA and was a Literary Intern for Philadelphia Theatre Company. Her plays have received readings at Cape May Stage and The Barrow Group School in New York City. One Day Old was inspired by her family that came to the United States fleeing the Castro Regime. She will be co-directing with Jose Aviles, Director of Education Outreach for the Arden Theatre Company. Aviles has worked as a director, actor and educator in Philadelphia for more than twenty years. They have assembled a multi-ethnic cast of both seasoned and up-and-coming artists in Philadelphia to breathe life into the script.