Irish Fest, the largest Irish festival in the country, is returning this year and Milwaukee Irish Arts is once again the producer for all theater performances at The Theatre Pavilion. This year we are sharing the tent with the Hedge School. We are mounting a number of the productions for the festival. Your ticket to Irish Fest includes free entry to The Theatre Pavilion. Here are the entertaining shows to be presented this year Friday, August 20 through Sunday August 22:

Fred and Jane

Author: Sebastian Barry

Presented by Milwaukee Irish Arts

Fred and Jane explores the deep and sustaining friendship between two nuns, Anna and Beatrice, over many years and through particular difficulties of religious life. The play illustrates the small fragments of life both in and out of the convent in 20th-century Ireland. 

‘This is Barry at his best: evocative, gentle, suffused with the beauty of the simple and the joy of turning the strange into the familiar.’ Sunday Tribune

‘A rare delight. A clear-running joy.’ Sunday Independent

‘A triumph in its own right.’ RTE

Cast and Crew

Anna Nagle – Amanda J Hull
Beatrice Dunne – Margaret Casey
Director – Lindsey Gagliano

Forgive Me, Father

Author: Kelly Younger

Presented by Milwaukee Irish Arts

A young Irish priest hears his first confession from an old Irish farmer lost on his way to the post office. But who ends up confessing to whom? And who really needs the forgiving?

We are remounting this hilarious comedy at the request of the many past Irish Fest audience members that have been delighted by it.

Cast

Confessor – Ryan Spiering
Penitent – Kevin Callahan
Director – James J Gallagher

Casey at the Bat

Author: Ernest Lawrence Thayer

Presented by Milwaukee Irish Arts

A The poem tells the story of the final inning of a baseball game. Will mighty Casey same the day?

This is a poem written by Ernest Thayer in 1888. It was first published anonymously in The San Fancisco Examiner (then called the Daily Examiner) on June 3, 1888 under the pen name “Phin”, based on Thayer’s college nickname, “Phinney”. The poem was later popularized by DeWolf Hopper in many vaudville performances. It have become one of the best know poems in American literature.

Cast

Narrator – Kevin Callahan

The Kerry Zen Center Retreat

Author: Kathy Holihan-Oliva, presented by Wildflower Theatre

Kallie’s relaxing meditation retreat turns into an unexpected wild ride.

Cast

Mickey: Marty Donovan
Kallie: Kathy Holahan-Olivia
Zen Master Monie: Julie L. Zebleckis
Director - Kathy Holahan-Oliva

Doors Open at Six

Author: Marty Donovan, presented by Wildflower Theatre

Three friends gather for cocktails before attending a wedding reception.

Cast

Trina McCormick: Kathy Holahan-Olivia
Lolly O'Brien: Julie L. Zebleckis
Joe Kenney: Marty Donovan
Director - Martin Donovan

 

Milwaukee Irish Fest Information:

Here is the schedule for the theater tent:

For ticket information to Irish Fest go here:  https://irishfest.com/tickets

Here is the full schedule of events: https://irishfest.com/Festival/Schedule2021

You can find general information about Irish Fest here: https://irishfest.com/Milwaukee-Irish-Fest