2/10/2012
By GARY DEMUTH Salina Journal
For years, Michael Durkan has wanted to tell the story of the Irish immigrant experience in America through music, song and dance.

That's why Durkan, an Irish producer and director who masterminded the popular stage show "Gaelforce Dance," brought together the best available musicians, singers and dancers from Ireland to create "Celtic Nights: A Journey of Hope."

The production showcases the Celtic experience by recreating the immigrant journey from Ireland to America's Ellis Island and beyond.

The show fuses traditional Irish and American ballads and uptempo tunes sang by prominent Irish vocalists and played by musicians steeped in Irish tradition. It also includes athletic step-dancing reminiscent of the popular Irish dance shows "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance."

"There is a lot of emotion, passion and energy in the show," Durkan said. "It resonates with all audiences, because everyone has an immigrant story."

"Celtic Nights: A Journey of Hope" will be performed Feb. 19 at the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts, 151 S. Santa Fe.

Stiefel Theatre Executive Director Jane Gates said she booked the show because of the success of previous Irish-themed shows at the Stiefel, which has included Trinity Irish Dance, Leahy and the Celtic Tenors.

"Those all were great shows," she said. "And this show comes with a great reputation. It features some of the best Irish dancers and musicians in a big production that's perfect for a theater of our size."

First American tour

The production, which is on its first American tour, features three male singers and three female singers, six dancers and two musicians, Durkan said.

One of the male singers played Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" in London, and one of the female singers performed in "Riverdance," he said. Several dancers also are veterans of "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance."

"They're really some of the best dancers to come out of Ireland," Durkan said.

In creating "Celtic Nights: A Journey of Hope," Durkan said he wanted to create a visually spectacular theatrical show that also told an intimate and moving story of proud Celtic exiles who dared to dream big, immigrants who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to carve out a home in the New World.

The influence of historical music will be examined during the show, Durkan said, and will include songs from the Civil War era, as well as bluegrass, Appalachian and country music. Traditional Irish songs such as "Danny Boy," "Isle of Hope," "Galway Bay" and "Isle of Innisfree" will be performed with more modern songs such as "May We Never Have to Say Goodbye," Durkan said.

Emotion in the songs

"There's lots of emotion in the songs," he said. "A song like 'My Grandfather's Immigrant Eyes' everyone gets. They're 'word' songs that make people think about what they're listening to."

Although the show is designed to be visually spectacular, featuring a complex light show and colorful costumes, Durkan said it's the personal connection between the performers and the audience that makes it a special show.

"There's one point where everyone sits on the front of the stage and invites the audience to sing along or to suggest songs -- if we know them, we'll sing them," he said.

Meeting the performers

Equally important, Durkan said, is the meet-and-greet session after each show.

"Our performers want to meet the people who came to see them," he said.

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