“Irish Christmas in America” celebrates the holidays in the spirit of Ireland with music, dance, and stories. An all-star cast from across the pond takes the stage at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $26-31, available through the Box Office at 302.652.5577 or online at www.thegrandwilmington.org.
Now in its 13th year, the show features lively Irish tunes, thrilling step dance, evocative carols in both English and Irish, and an abundance of humor.“Christmas is a massive holiday in Ireland,” says fiddle player and show producer Oisin Mac Diarmada. “People travel home to see families and share great food and lots of music. The country shuts down, apart from the bars!”
Niamh Farrell is a rising young singer with a crystal-clear voice who hails from Sligo on Ireland’s West Coast. Farrell brings contemporary songs to the show including Norah Jones’ “December” and Tom Waits’ “Take Me Home.”
“Growing up, the idea of a ‘party piece’ was always a big thing in Irish homes,” Farrell says. “People would gather around the fire or maybe the table at Christmas dinner, and everyone would be coaxed to sing a song or tell a story or do a dance. You had to make some sort of show of yourself!”
From County Kerry, Séamus Begley, named Ireland’s “Traditional Singer of the Year,” sings, tells jokes and plays the accordion.
“Seamus was like the Johnny Cash of my childhood,” says Farrell. “I absolutely adored his singing.”
Champion step dancer Samantha Harvey lights up the stage with her footwork, and joins in on piano with Grainne Hambley on the harp and Seán Gavin on the uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes).
The show touches a chord with Americans, even those not of Irish descent, as many families can identify with being far from home.
“One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”
Want to conjure memories after the show? An accompanying CD “An Irish Christmas Soundscape” will be available at the performance.