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Event
The Plough and the Stars
The New Haven Gaelic Players will stage "The Plough and the Stars," a tragedy in four acts by Sean O'Casey, at the Irish American Community Center in East Haven, November 9-13, 2016. The 1926 Irish drama depicts events surrounding the 1916 Easter Uprising in Dublin that eventually led to Irish independence.
"'The Plough and the Stars'" is to Irish theater what 'Les Misérables' is to Broadway," says director Brian Beirne. "It's the granddaddy of them all." A long-time Gaelic Players cast member, Beirne returns for his second directorial outing after last years sold-out comedy, "The Far-Off Hills."
The New Haven Gaelic Players--currently in its 48th year--previously performed "The Plough and the Stars" on the same stage in 1977. Founder Charlie Starrs chose the classic play for this year's production to mark the 100th anniversary of the Uprising. "O'Casey lived through this time in Dublin and wrote about it 10 years later before it was romanticized by history," says Starrs. "He wanted to show the human side of war, and it's amazing how relevant the play still is. It could easily be set today in Syria, for instance."
Eileen O'Keefe Roxbee who portrays Bessie Burgess in the production and also serves as President of the IACC, echoes Starrs' interpretation. "I grew up singing rebel songs with my family," she says. "When you hear about the Uprising, its usually about the heroes, but this play is about the people behind them and how they suffered."
Roxbee's grandfather, Francis O'Keefe, fought in the Kiskeam Company Newmarket Battalion Cork #2 Brigade of the IRA during the Civil War ignited by the 1916 Uprising. Her daughter, Kara Roxbee, granddaughter Caroline Pfaff, and cousins Jillian Simms and Michael DePascale are also members of the cast and descended from Francis O'Keefe.
"We commonly have family members acting in our productions," says Stars, "but this is the first time in our 48 years we've had three generations of one family in the same play. It's incredibly special that it portrays a piece of their family history."
For Karl Ryan, who plays Fluther Good, "The Plough and the Stars" transports him back to his hometown of Dublin. Ryan's father was born in 1932, some time after the events of the play, but the conditions he grew up in were similar to the tenement house O'Casey portrays, and Ryan often heard about this Dublin growing up.
"Doing a Dublin play, it's like my whole body remembers what its like to be there," says Ryan, who came to the US in 1989 and began acting with the Gaelic Players in 1991. "It's a tangible connection to my ancestors. When you act something out like this, it's like stepping through a window into the past. Not a lot of people get to experience that."
About the Gaelic Players
Founded in 1967 by a group of Irish immigrants to promote Irish theater in the New Haven area, the Gaelic Players perform works by Irish playwrights on an annual basis. Based at New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club and Irish American Community Center (IACC), all proceeds from Gaelic Players performances benefit these organizations.
Cast:
Director - Brian Beirne
Jack Clitheroe - Jason Simms
Nora Clitheroe - Jillian Mackey Simms
Peter Flynn - Peter Lynch
The Young Covey - Paul Tynan
Bessie Burgess - Eileen OKeefe Roxbee
Mrs. Gogan - Doreen Keogh Busca
Mollser - Caroline Pfaff
Fluther Good - Karl Ryan
Lieut. Langon - Michael DePascale
Capt. Brennan - Aaron McNicholl
Corporal Stoddard - Seamus Lonergan
Sgt. Tinley - Jon Leone
Rosie Redmond - Kara Roxbee
Bartender - Packy Lillis
A Woman - Sheila Hickey-Garvey
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LocationIrish American Community Center (View)
9 Venice Pl
East Haven, CT 06512
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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