By Paddy McCarthy
It’s not over yet… of course, I am talking about summer. I know we had Tropical Storm Henri that thankfully was a blowout in most parts of New York, but it was not very good for some, especially those in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts who got the full force of the storm. I’m so sad for the people in Tennessee who are hit very hard with floods as the water from heavy rain swamped the whole state. I am told twenty-two died and dozens are missing; our condolences go out to all the families in Tennessee for this tragedy. I am not the weatherman or the newsman as I normally bring you gossip only but I had to pass this news and weather on to you of the suffering that some people have in other parts of the country around this time of the year.
We all did take notice that the big Welcome Back Concert on Central Park’s Great Lawn that was to feature star-studded performers like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, Maluma and the Killers was cancelled because the second half was going to be a washout.
I am going to let you in to the latest gossip about an event that is in one of my favorite places in Ireland and that is Kenmare, County Kerry. A lady called Maureen McDonnell corresponded with me about this event and asked me to give it a mention, so I am. Ireland’s newest and most exciting art space Kenmare’s Butter Market, Co Kerry is delighted to present a solo art exhibition by Irish artist “PIGSY” entitled “Catharsis Of Collapse”. Opening on Thursday September 2nd and curated by Claire Bunbury, Creative Director at the Kenmare Butter Market, this exhibition announces the artist’s return to his native shores after spending a year abroad in Spain.
Now that Kerry is looking good to be heading to the All-Ireland Football Final you will also like this, ahh what happened to Cork? I have to hand it to Limerick they came out like super stars and I have to say yes, they were on the day. I watched it from my armchair with a nice pint of Guinness hoping to see a star-studded game and it was for the Limerick and their fans but poor Cork fans were crying in their, ah, I suppose drinks or maybe tea just to balance the phrase. I also felt so sorry for GAA President Larry McCarthy, a Cork-man who even got the club’s name wrong for the captain of Limerick when he was introducing him that he was from Na Piarsaig, a GAA club in Cork. The Limerick Captain Declan Hannon corrected him by saying, “Just to clarify, I’m from Adare.” This is only a bit of gossip and I’m sure Larry will get a kick of it as we all make mistakes and have a laugh about it after.
I am so happy to announce this about a man I did know very well, that is none other than the late Frank McCourt, a Limerick man. I am so excited about the newest event The Irish Rep is putting on for viewers to tune into. Here are the details: The Irish Repertory Theatre and Pat Moylan Productions will present “Angela’s Ashes: The Musical”, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Frank McCourt. With music and lyrics by Adam Howell (Blonde), a book by Paul Hart (Moon in Eclipse), and direction by Thom Southerland (Mack and Mabel), the major musical adaptation of Angela’s Ashes will make its New York premiere at Irish Rep Online on Thursday September 9th at 7 pm ET following a successful in-person run in Ireland. Angela’s Ashes will be available on demand through Wednesday September 22nd. For tickets and more information, visit IrishRep.org.
Angela’s Ashes: The Musical is a remarkable story, told with a rare lyricism and a warm inimitable sense of humor as we follow Frank McCourt’s escapades and experiences in a Dickensian landscape peopled by a drunken father, helpless mother, pompous priests and bullying schoolmasters; moneylenders, dancing-teachers and charity workers, culminating in his escape from grinding poverty to the redemption of a new life in America.
A haunting underscore with unforgettable tunes adds to the emotional impact and the humor of the story. Angela’s Ashes: The Musical has that rare gift of bringing an audience to tears one minute, laughing out loud the next – if ever a musical could be said to embody the “rollercoaster of emotion”, then Angela’s Ashes is that musical.
McCourt’s memoir of growing up in the ‘Lanes of Limerick’ was followed by a 1999 Alan Parker film, and is now being retold in a vibrant and memorable piece of musical theatre.
Angela’s Ashes: The Musical will star Jacinta Whyte (Titanic) as “Angela” and Eoin Cannon (The Woman in White) as “Frank” and feature Elaine Hearty as “Nora,” Michael Joseph as “Quasimodo,” Domhnall Herdman as “Malachy Jr.,” Shane McDaid as “Billy Heffernan,” Marty Maguire as “Malachy,” Amanda Minihan as “Grandma,” David O’Meara as “Uncle Pat,” Mark O’Regan as “Mr. Griffin,” Norma Sheahan as “Mrs. Finucane,” Brigid Shine as “Theresa Carmody” and Sinead O’Donovan as “Ensemble.”
Angela’s Ashes: The Musical features set and costume design by Francis O’Connor, lighting design by Sinead McKenna, sound design by Jason Fallon, movement direction by Ste Clough, musical supervision by Mike Dixon, musical direction by David Hayes, original orchestrations and arrangements by Colm Ó Foghlú and Joe Csibi, and additional orchestrations and arrangements by David Hayes.
Described by The New York Times as a “stunning memoir,” Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes was a literary sensation when it was published in 1996. The book climbed quickly to the top of that newspaper’s Bestseller lists and remained there for nearly three years, selling 4 million copies in hardback alone. Since then, the memoir has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and has become a phenomenon continuing to attract a global readership.
As well as a fixture on the bestseller lists on both sides of the Atlantic, the book won multiple accolades including the Pulitzer Prize and the US National Critics Circle Book Award in 1997, has been listed in The Guardian as one of the top 50 best-selling books of all time and has been translated into 126 languages.
The musical opened in Ireland in Summer 2017 to critical and public acclaim with the Belfast Telegraph praising “its ability to steer you from laughing hysterically to holding back tears” and the Sunday Business Post saying that “only the hardest of heartstrings could fail to be tugged.”
Angela’s Ashes: The Musical will be available as a special streaming event for two weeks only, from September 9th to 22nd. Audience members can reserve a digital ticket for Opening Night, Thursday September 9th, to view a scheduled streaming of the production at 7 pm ET. Those who purchase tickets for Opening Night will be also able to watch on demand for 48 hours following the premiere. All other advance ticket purchasers will be able to access their on-demand performance beginning September 9th, at 7 pm ET. Tickets are available at irishrep.org at the special price of $30. The production will be available to view for 48 hours after clicking the Watch Now button in the streaming platform.
You heard it here, do not miss this beautiful adaption of Angela’s Ashes, written by the late author Frank McCourt, it will be well worth it. The Irish Repertory Theatre are putting on another big winner so tune in as soon as you can and please support them with a donation, they deserve it so much.
Now for something to brighten your day up: the Celtic Cruise will be sailing aboard the Spirit of New York on Wednesday, October 6th. This charity cruise around New York Harbor supports the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. Tickets for the cruise are $125 per person and include live music, full buffet dinner and a premium open bar. Boarding begins at 6 pm with the boat sailing at 6:45 pm and returning at 10pm.
For more information visit www.celticcharity.com or call (212) 717-9955.
See you all again when I am Out&About…