Theater Review: 'The Irish...and How They Got That Way'

“The Irish…and How They Got That Way” is a unique musical by Frank McCourt that will be performed at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford through March 30. It fits a curated history of the Irish people into two hours, an entertaining story told through music, dance, some seriousness and plenty of humor.

Danielle Paccione directs this multi-talented ensemble cast and provides the choreography that adds an Irish touch to many of the numbers. Michael Samuel Kaplan worked with the actors to keep up the Irish lilt in their performers.

Paccione describes the history of the Irish people as “filled with difficulty and strife, joy, hardship, celebration, discrimination, adaptation, barriers and community.” The script touches on all of these and reminds us that everyone seeks freedom and opportunity, endures hardships and discrimination, and ultimately shapes our culture.

“When we share our culture, we share a part of what makes us who we are, and who we hope to be,” adds the director/choreographer.

“Peace of mind comes to all who are kind” - an Irish blessing

This is truly an ensemble cast of “music makers” that works together seamlessly. Every actor is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist that switches between the instruments that fill the stage. The production team made sure to cast only multi-talented musicians and then get out of their way and allow them to shine.

At times they act out the songs as they sing and for other numbers dance along, sometimes while playing their instruments. There is plenty to smile about in the script and much to be learned about Irish history.

The song list includes many classic Irish tunes, including “Galway Bay,” “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen,” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” The cast invites patrons to sing and clap along at a few points, to the delight of the matinee audience. There are also many less familiar Irish tunes, some sad and some comical. The work of George M. Cohen is celebrated with a few of his hits, and the second act closer is the contemporary “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by the Irish Rock Band U2.

Equity member Joe Boover leads the cast as the music director and also performs with the cast. Boover was part of the Shakesperience production of “Two Gentlemen of Varona.”

Victoria Chaieb makes her Playhouse debut and Elleon Dobias, another Equity member who hails from Colorado, also makes her Playhouse debut. Josh Karam, who played Lucentio in “Taming of the Shrew” with Capital Classics, returns to the Playhouse stage. Jack F. Murphy, a graduate of New York University, also makes his Playhouse on Park debut. Katrien van Riel, who served as music director and First Fairy in the Playhouse production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” returns to perform in this production.

Costumes designed by Vilinda McGregor are casual and cute. Scenic Designer Omid Akbari decorated the two posts at the corners of the stage to look like the walls of an Irish pub, and the back of the stage to look like a stage. The multitude of musical instruments played by the musicians are perhaps the best set decoration. Lighting that was designed by David De Carolis has some lovely effects.

For tickets, visit www.playhouseonpark.org or call (860) 523-5900 Ext.10
The delightful performance runs two hours and ten minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.