BWW Previews: Billboard's Top World Artist Winner CELTIC THUNDER Rumbles In To The McCallum Theatre

Through the generosity of Brooke and Dan Koehler, the McCallum Theatre presents Celtic Thunder on Friday, November 4, at 8:00pm. Celtic Thunder is an Irish singing group and stage show known for its eclectic, theatrical style show. In 2007, producer ShaRon Browne filmed the first Celtic Thunder show in Dublin. The concept featured men from Ireland and Scotland, and songs celebrating a common Celtic heritage, from the traditional to international hits and original pieces.

Accompanied by the Celtic Concert Orchestra, Celtic Thunder has become a household name around the world, with recent ventures into Australia and South Africa. With the airing of their first Public Television special in 2008, Celtic Thunder consistently remains one of the most popular musical shows for stations throughout the U.S.

The current cast of Celtic Thunder is Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Neil Byrne, Emmet Cahill, Emmett O'Hanlon and special guest artist Damian McGinty. Backed by the Celtic Thunder Orchestra, their shows are known for dramatic effects via lighting and choreography as well as realistic Irish stage sets with authentic Irish instruments. The performances have dramatic solos, compelling ensembles, and comedic acts.

The first Celtic Thunder CD/DVD (2008) was simply called Celtic Thunder - The Show. A U.S. and Canada tour followed, along with a second CD from the show, Act II. Celtic Thunder released Take Me Home (2009), followed by It's Entertainment (2010) which paid homage to U.S. pop culture. Three subsequent releases Heritage, Voyage and New Voyage returned the show to its Celtic roots, with Irish and Scottish traditional and contemporary songs. The first Celtic Thunder Christmas CD/DVD was released in 2010. Two releases followed in 2011, Heritage and Storm, their first theatrical production. Celtic Thunder also took the Heritage show on tour in the U.S. that year. 2013 saw the show return to Dublin to film Mythology, a blend of entertainment, ideology and Gaelic spirituality, providing a modern twist on Celtic storytelling traditions.

In 2014, Celtic Thunder released Holiday Symphony with Christmas standards from around the world and delivered with Celtic Thunder's big production sound and backed by a 90-piece orchestra. 2015 saw The Very Best of Celtic Thunder, a compilation of best loved songs and fan favorites and followed with a North America "Very Best of Celtic Thunder" tour.

In 2015, Celtic Thunder filmed their latest show, "Legacy," at the Casino Rama in Canada. Legacy Volume I was released on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray and limited edition vinyl in February 2016, with Volume II following later in the year.

By the end of 2016, Celtic Thunder will have toured the U.S. and Canada eleven times and Australia four times and performed on two Entertainment Cruises in the Caribbean. Celtic Thunder was named Billboard's Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2015. Celtic Thunder's YouTube channel, "Thunder Tube," has received over 77 million views since its inception in 2008.

ShaRon Browne (Producer) is a 30 year veteran of the music industry. Her prolific career has focused on promoting established artists and breaking new acts, launching them on the world stage. In addition to being Celtic Thunder's creator and producer, she is the original producer of Celtic Woman and has worked with top Celtic acts Riverdance, Phil Coulter, The Wolfetones, Clannad and more. Her belief in the magic of Celtic Thunderand her inexhaustible energy has created this incredibly successful show.

David Munro (Musical Director) started his musical life as a concert pianist then turned to ballet and opera. David has worked with The Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Singapore Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Company, Jiri Kylian (NDT), Random Dance and L.C.T.D amongst others. David joined Celtic Thunder in 2011 as Musical Director. He has composed original songs for Celtic Thunder and is responsible for all musical and vocal arrangements on the recent tours of "Voyage," "Mythology," "Celtic Thunder Symphony," "Very Best of Celtic Thunder" and "Legacy."

Ryan Kelly is an original member of Celtic Thunder. He has toured the U.S., Canada and Australia with Celtic Thunder, and in 2016, began his fourth tour "Down Under" with Celtic Thunder and his tenth North American Tour with the show. In his solo career, Ryan released two World Billboard chart-topping self-penned solo albums, In Time in 2011 and Life in 2013 to critical acclaim and has won several Irish Music Awards - including "Top Solo Performer in a Concert" in 2011 and 2014.

Keith Harkin is an Irish singer songwriter and guitar-playing minstrel whose talents have taken him to the U.K., Canada, Australia and America. Keith's debut solo CD was followed by his second album On Mercy Street in 2015. While working on his solo career, Keith continues as Celtic Thunder's lead soloist and will have toured Australia and North America 14 times by the end of 2016. Keith's career with Celtic Thunder began in 2007 when he was selected as one of the principals for the new Celtic Thunder show.

Neil Byrne recorded backing vocals for the first Celtic Thunder DVD in 2007, moved to lead guitar, and in 2011, became one of the show's lead vocalists. Neil toured America, Canada and Australia with the show and performed on both Celtic Thunder Cruises. In 2015, Neil partnered with animator Aidan McAteer and composed the score to the Irish short film Deadly. Collaborating with Celtic Thunder musical director David Munro, Neil and David won "Best Film Score" at the Underground Cinema Awards for Short Film. Neil has released solo albums and with Celtic Thunder's Ryan Kelly.

Emmet Cahill hails from Mullingar in CounTy Westmeath in Ireland and graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Emmet started with Celtic Thunder on the "Heritage" tour. The baritone of Celtic Thunder shows, Emmet performs belting solo numbers showcasing the richness of his voice. Emmet released his solo album in 2016. During his career, Emmet has immersed himself in various musical genres, awakening his passion for Irish music as well as other styles. Indeed, the Irish Music Association named him "Tenor of the Year" in 2013.

Damian McGinty (Special Guest Artist) joined the inaugural cast of Celtic Thunder and performed on six specials for Public Television and four U.S. and Canada tours. In 2011, Damian was one of two winners on TV's "The Glee Project," landing a role in Fox's series "Glee." In 2013, Damian returned to performing on specials, first with former Celtic Thunder cast-mate Paul Byron and later with Ethan Bortnick in "The Power of Music." He returned as Guest Artist on "The Very Best of Celtic Thunder" tour and collaborated with Celtic Thunder in recording their show "Legacy."

Through the generosity of Brooke and Dan Koehler, the McCallum Theatre presents Celtic Thunder on Friday, November 4, at 8:0pm. Tickets are $97, $87, $77 and $57 and are available online at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.

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