The Walnut Street Theatre’s 2007-2008 Independence Studio on 3 season concludes with The Irish…And How They Got That Way, a wonderfully uplifting musical celebration of all things Irish. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and playwright Frank McCourt, The Irish… starts on April 29, opens on May 1 and closes on June 29.

The Irish…And How They Got That Way tells the story of the Irish experience both on the Emerald Isle and here in America. Those who are familiar with the works of Frank McCourt will find his unique brand of irreverent humor throughout. It is a story told through the songs of Ireland, from such immortals as “Danny Boy” and “The Rose of Tralee” to the works of George M. Cohan and modern-day Irish rockers U2. The Irish… sheds new light on a people who live, laugh and love with as much passion as possible.

Playwright and author Frank McCourt was born in Brooklyn; raised in Limerick, Ireland; and spent twenty seven years teaching in the New York City public school system before embarking on his writing career. After retiring from teaching, Frank and his brother performed their two-man show, A Couple of Blaguards, a musical review about their Irish Youth. Frank's childhood memoir, Angela’s Ashes, spent 117 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was the winner of the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. He remains one of the most celebrated and beloved Irish-American authors of our time.

The Cast of The Irish… consists of five multi-talented performers who will be handling it all: performance, vocals, and instrumentation. Led by Music Director Daniel Kazemi (Musical Director for 11th Hour’s Tick…Tick…Boom!, and the American premiere of Austentatous at the 2007 Philly Fringe), our cast of actor/musicians include Bennett Dunn (The Walnut’s Blood Brothers, the title role in the Media Theatre’s production of The Buddy Holly Story), Sarah Gliko (Media Theatre’s Joseph…), Jonathan Shade (HAIR at the Prince Music Theatre) and Phoebe Silva (The Arden’s Winesburg, Ohio). The entire cast brings a boundless energy to the production, which will be all the more engaging given the Walnut’s intimate space in the Independence Studio on 3.

Directing The Irish… is Megan Nicole O’Brien. Megan has served as a directing fellow at the Philadelphia Theatre Company and is currently the Resident Director (and a co-founder) of 11th Hour Theatre Company, and has been involved in creating and teaching theatre education programming in Philadelphia for the past 9 years. Megan is joined in this endeavor by Set Designer Adam Riggar (Mr. Bailey’s Minder), Barrymore Award-winning Lighting Designer Shelley Hicklin (for the Walnut’s Of Mice and Men), Costume Designer Mary Folino (Side By Side By Sondheim, The Dishwashers, The Mystery of Irma Vep) and Sound Designer Mark Valenzuela (many different designs for 11th Hour, the Arden, and others).

Season sponsors for the 2007-2008 Independence Studio on 3 Season are The Independence Foundation, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and Macy’s East. Media season sponsors are digphilly.com, Metro and WRTI Radio. Tickets are $28 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

WHAT:
THE IRISH…AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY
By FRANK McCOURT

WHEN:
April 29 – June 29, 2008
Press Opening: Thursday, May 1 @ 7:30pm

WHERE:
Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3
825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

WHO:
Director: MEGAN O’BRIEN
Musical Director: DANIEL KAZEMI*
Choreographer: JENNIFER ROSE
Set Design: ADAM RIGGAR
Lighting Design: SHELLEY HICKLIN
Costume Design: MARY FOLINO
Sound Design/Composer: MARK VALENZUELA
Stage Manager: SARA MAY*

CAST:
BENNETT DUNN*
SARAH GLIKO*
DANIEL KAZEMI*
JONATHAN SHADE*
PHOEBE SILVA

TICKETS:
$28

CURTAIN:
Tuesday-Sunday, 7:30PM; Saturday and Sunday at 2:30PM

PHONE:
Tickets/Info 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234

WEBSITE:
www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster

*The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors' Equity Association, the professional union of actors and stage managers.