A Celebration Of Irish Heritage Coming To Stoneham

A release from the Greater Boston Stage Company:

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Greater Boston Stage Company at "The Irish and How They Got That Way," created by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes). This musical revue is a celebration of a heritage that confronts adversity with determination, good humor, and a love of life. McCourt’s wit, insight and boundless love for the Irish are underscored by music extending from the auld Irish folk ballads to World War II standards, and beyond. Directed by Dawn Simmons, performances run March 8-25.

“For me, music drives the storytelling in this piece. It was clear early on that I wanted to create a band, something that calls on Irish tradition, but puts a modern spin on it. Kirsten Salpini, the Music Director, has been an incredible collaborator, drawing out the connections between traditional Irish music and American Folk music,” said Simmons. “My Irish heritage has never been the way that I define myself, partly because it's not what people see when they look at me. But there is a resilience that runs in the blood of the Irish, that runs in the blood of Black lives, and all of humanity. If we can tap into that strength of character, that will carry us through - not just through this piece, but through generations.”

The cast features Boston favorites William Gardiner, Nile Hawver, Michael Levesque, Kirsten Salpini, Nicole VanderLaan, and Ceit Zweil. Many of the actors will provide accompaniment on guitar, piano, violin and percussion.

The design team is comprised of Music Director Kirsten Salpini, Scenic Designer Shelley Barish, Lighting Designer Karen Perlow, Sound Designer John Stone, and Greater Boston Stage Young Company alum Brittany Rolfs in the dual-role as Costume Designer and Props Master.

Single Tickets for The Irish and How They Got That Way: $50-60 Adults; $45-55 Seniors; $20 Students (with valid ID). Thrifty Thursday tickets cost $15 at the door and are available for the Thursday, March 8 performance at 7:30 p.m. There will be a Talkback after the performance on Sunday, March 11 at 2 pm. Girls’ Night Out will take place Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at Greater Boston Stage Company at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.greaterbostonstage.org.