Report by Brad Balfour
Origin’s Theater Company’s annual fundraiser event in The American Irish Historical Society (991, 5th Avenue) took place Thursday, January 23rd, 2025. For over 20 years Origin Theatre Company has provided a space in NYC for Irish and Irish inspired theater artists.
Programming by Origin has included the annual 1st Irish Festival as well as the annual Plays in May reading series and Bloomsday at Bloom’s Tavern. The inaugural Scéal Nua Irish playwright focused lab has been a great success in its first year.
The annual “1st Irish” Festival takes place at various venues throughout the New York area from March 23rd to April 28th. And there will be Origin’s 1st Irish closing awards ceremony on April 28th as well.
And, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Origin Theatre will present selected readings from John B. Keane’s, “Letters of A Matchmaker” at The American Irish Historical Society, on February 15th at 2pm. These are the letters of a country matchmaker faithfully recorded by Keane. Sweet treats and bubbly will be had as love and companionship is celebrated over St. Valentine’s weekend. Cast includes Fair City’s Ella Barton, Jodie Sweeney and Una Clancy from The Irish Repertory Theatre’s “The Dead, 1904” and Irish Rep regular Ed Malone.
At the preview, Actress Brenda Meaney was presented with The George C. Heslin Artistic Leadership Award for her extensive work on stage and screen as well as her commitment to Irish arts. Hails from a well known Irish thespian family, her late mother was actor Bairbre Dowling for whom the annual Bairbre Dowling Spirit of 1st Irish is awarded each year at Origin 1st Irish to those who have contributed selflessly to our industry. And her father is the much loved and renowned actor Colm Meaney.
This year’s Tom Moran Business to Arts Award went to John Mahon and Noel Donovan. The founder of the hugely successful Mahon Hospitality Group, Mahon first opened The Pig ‘N’ Whistle in 1969, not far from Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and Radio City Music Hall. John’s portfolio of pubs in NYC has expanded to include some of New York and Dublin’s hottest bars and restaurants such as Bloom’s Tavern which is operated by Limerick native Noel Donovan.
Talented performers at the annual fundraiser included: The Josh Marcum trio as well as a performance by Andrea Lynn Green and Georgi James from the wonderful musical “Parcel From America” by Jahnna Beecham, Malcolm Hilgartner, Kevin Corcoran and Michael J. Hume. Opera sensation Michael Kuhn and Irish musical star/actor Karen Kileen shared their talents as well. Both are well known to New York audiences from their recent appearances in The Irish Repertory Theatre’s and Dot Dot production of “The Dead,1904.”
As Managing Director Mick Mellamphy said “We are excited to celebrate all of the wonderful theatre we have in store for our upcoming 2025 season. Please join us.”
For more information go to: https://www.origintheatre.org/