Report by Brad Balfour
Origin 1st Irish Festival 2023 Closing Ceremony
7 pm, Monday January 30th
The Irish Arts Center
726 11th Avenue (at 51st Street)
On Monday January 30, at 7 pm, the Closing Ceremony of Origin 1st Irish Festival 2023 was held at the Irish Arts Center ( 726 11th Avenue at 51st Street), the site of the Festival’s three-day finale. A total of 12 Festival events took place through Tuesday when Ireland’s patroness Saint Brigid, was celebrated at the NY Irish Center on the eve of her new official national holiday.
Packed with performances and treats, the celebrated Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland — which is in the midst of an all- Ireland tour prior to its Carnegie Hall concert on St Patrick’s Day — made a special appearance at the Closing Ceremony. Appearing virtually from Ireland, the youth orchestra played with members of the Fairfield County Children’s Choir, who appeared live on stage performing songs from The Cranberries and U-2. The evening concluded with the six Festival Awards that recognize unique contributions to the Festival.
The Closing Ceremony also featured excerpts from “Peace and Love in Brooklyn,” a new musical by Eamon O’Tuama (of The Prodigals), which received a concert staging with a live band on Saturday. The Cork-born singer-songwriter has been working with director John Keating and a distinguished cast which included Annalisa Chamberlin, Maria Deasy, Liam Forde, Briana Layon, Aedin Moloney, Fergal Titley and Gary Troy. Music direction is by Ed Goldshneider. “Peace and Love in Brooklyn” is produced by 2019 Spirit of the Festival Winner Maria Deasy and O’Tuama, with support from the Irish American Writers & Artists (IAW&A) and Origin Theatre Co.
From Jan. 9 to Jan. 31, 2023, the three-week festival presented 21 separate events at venues across the City. Its critically acclaimed productions from Ireland included Fishamble’s “Heaven” and Big Telly’s “Frankenstein’s Monster is Drunk and the Sheep Have All Jumped the Fences” (both through Sunday at 59E59 Theaters). Joining the mix of shows and parties was two screenings of “The Letters,” director Robbie Walsh’s award-winning Irish film.
Among the new shows, readings and workshops produced locally by members of New York’s extensive Irish diaspora theater community are “The Smuggler” and “Endgame” which are still running at the Irish Repertory Theatre.
The only festival of its kind devoted to producing and presenting the theatrical work of contemporary Irish playwrights from around the world, Origin 1st Irish presents a mix of brand new and recently acclaimed productions from both sides of the Atlantic. Participating theaters and cultural organizations in New York including 59E59 Theaters, the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Irish Arts Center, the cell, Ryan’s Daughter and Symphony Space in Manhattan; the NY Irish Center in Queens, and An Beal Bocht in The Bronx.
For Festival info past and present visit www.origintheatre.org