Keegan Theatre Announces 2018 Holiday Lineup

The Keegan Theatre announces its lineup for the 2018 holiday season with the December 13 opening of its beloved holiday tradition, AN IRISH CAROL, written by Dublin native and Keegan company member Matthew J. Keenan. Opening on December 22, the Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA family friendly production of the delightful children's classic with a holiday twist, THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER, written by Kristin Walter. And back by popular demand, THE HARRY BELLS: Keegan Greetings, in concert on December 22.

AN IRISH CAROL, returning for its eighth season, runs December 13- 31, 2018, at the Andrew Keegan Theatre in Washington, DC. Press opening is December 14, 2018. Led by Helen Hayes Award-winning director Mark A. Rhea, AN IRISH CAROL features many cast members reprising their acclaimed performances from years past, as Kevin Adams (Dave), Caroline Dubberly (Anna), Mark A. Rhea (Jim), Timothy Lynch (Frank), Josh Adams (Bartek), and Mick Tinder (Richard) all return to familiar roles. This year, two AN IRISH CAROL alumni return to the show playing different roles: Josh Sticklin, who originated the role of Bartek and played the role for the six seasons, now takes on the role of Simon; and Jon Townson, who originated and played the role of Simon for the five years, moves into the role of Dave's brother, Michael.

Set in a modern Dublin pub, AN IRISH CAROL is an homage to Dickens' classic - told as only the Irish can. The play follows one evening in the life of David, a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity in the interest of self-protection and material success. But on this Christmas Eve - challenged by a voice from the past, provoked by those in this present, and faced with the reality of lonely future - David's life may change forever. AN IRISH CAROL is a modern fable, told with the biting humor and incisive candor of its Irish playwright.

A Keegan Theatre PLAY-RAH-KA production, THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER runs December 22- 30, 2018, at the Andrew Keegan Theatre in Washington, DC. All performances are at 11:00am and are sensory friendly. The press opening is December 23, 2018. THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER features actors Jake Null (Eric, a shoemaker), Maggie Leigh Walker (Fiona, his wife), Emily Dwornik (Shannon, his daughter), Duane Richards (Peddler), Joe Baker (Herbie, an elf), Debora Crabbe (Zuzu, an elf) and is directed by Alexis J. Hartwick.

Eric, the lone shoemaker of Grimmsville, makes shoes that are miserably uncomfortable and impossible to walk in... leaving a lot of barefoot villagers and Eric without a means to provide for his family. While alone in the woods, his daughter Shannon is confronted by a stranger who offers her the deal of a lifetime: In exchange for her torturous pair of shoes, she is given a magical medallion that holds the charm of the elves. Wanting to help her family, Shannon tries the chant. Her words beckon a pair of elves that show up night after night at the shoemaker's home creating the most fabulous shoes EVER! With his shoes now wanted throughout the land, Eric and his family have more gold than they can count. But they quickly begin to realize that all the money in the world doesn't necessarily buy happiness

Following the AN IRISH CAROL performance on Saturday, December 22, at 9:00 pm, Keegan presents a special holiday concert: "The Harry Bells: Keegan's Greetings." Back by popular demand, The Harry Bells holiday concert is another Keegan holiday tradition, as audiences raise a glass to the season alongside the cast of AN IRISH CAROL, while enjoying the unique sound of this wildly original, outrageously talented band. Hailing from Washington, DC, The Harry Bells are a horn-and-percussion tribute to the music of Harry Belafonte. WAMU's Michael J. West has described their sound as "boisterous," with each song "threatening to dance right out of the speakers."

This is Keegan Theatre's 22nd season performing in Washington, DC. The Keegan Theatre produces powerful productions of classic and modern plays and musicals, offered to the community at affordable prices. Our work is fueled by the highest caliber acting and design, scripts that put real people out there on the stark edges of life, and a directing approach that honors clear, authentic storytelling.

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