Just last night, Irish Repertory Theatre presented FINIAN'S RAINBOW: IN CONCERT, this season's Gala Benefit production celebrating their return home to 22nd Street. Hosted by Saoirse Ronan, FINIAN'S RAINBOW: IN CONCERT featured performances by members of the Irish Rep cast in their original roles: Melissa Errico as "Sharon," Malcolm Gets as "Og," David Staller as "the Narrator," and Max Von Essen as "Woody." They were joined by Tony Award winner Jim Norton as "Finian," Megan Fairchild of New York City Ballet as "Susan the Silent," and a full chorus.
The groundbreaking 1947 musical FINIAN'S RAINBOW follows an Irishman who steals a feisty leprechaun's pot of gold and escapes with his daughter, Sharon, to Missitucky, a mythical region in the United States that is part of the Jim Crow South. The daughter and the sprite each find romance with others, but also encounter bigotry, economic disparity and cultural injustice.
The score is spiked with such popular show tunes as "Old Devil Moon," "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" and "Look to the Rainbow," plus spicy comic and satiric songs such as "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love," and "When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich."
Irish Repertory Theatre, now in its 28th season, was co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore. Irish Rep opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars and is currently the only year-round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage. Recognized with the Jujamcyn Theatres Award, a special Drama Desk Award for "Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama," an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement, and the Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Body of Work," the Irish Rep has celebrated the very best in Irish theatre for over twenty-five years, from the masters to the new generation of Irish and Irish American writers who are transforming the stage. Nearly 38,000 audience members annually attend productions at our theatre located in the heart of New York's Off-Broadway community. Once here, they witness the Irish Rep's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Michael Rosen and Megan Fairchild
Michael Rosen and Megan Fairchild
Max Von Essen
Max Von Essen
Max Von Essen
David Staller and Max Von Essen
David Staller and Max Von Essen
Ciaran O'Reilly (Producing Director of The Irish Repertory Theatre)
Ciaran O'Reilly
Kathleen Begala (Gala Chair), Ciaran O'Reilly and Ellen McCourt (Honoree)
Ellen McCourt and Max Von Essen
Melissa Errico and Max Von Essen
Melissa Errico and Max Von Essen
Jodie Gardiner, Sarah Gardiner and Claire McEntee
Saoirse Ronan and Ellen McCourt
Kathleen Begala, Saoirse Ronan, Ellen McCourt and Ciaran O'Reilly
Claire McEntee, Jodie Gardiner, Saoirse Ronan and Sarah Gardiner
Videos