Irish Fest is the largest Irish festival in the country. This year Milwaukee Irish Arts is producing all theater performances at The Theatre Pavilion. Irish Fest is the only local ethic festival that presents theater.  Your ticket to Irish Fest includes free entry to The Theatre Pavilion. Here are the entertaining shows to be presented this year Friday, August 19 through Sunday August 21

Dead Man’s Bells

Author: Méabh de Brún

A gothic rural tale of unspoken family secrets as told by three sisters who take us on a journey through the misdeeds of their brother, the family farm that’s up for grabs, and the actions they felt driven to.

We uncovered this play in our search for new works by Irish authors.

Cast and Crew

Oldest – Libby Amato
Middle – Maura Atwood
Youngest – Madeleine Craig
Director – James J Gallagher

Bring Your A Game

Author: Méabh de Brún

Two strangers use the time stuck in an elevator to get to know each other in a quirky and humorous encounter.

Another new play by the same author as “Dead Man’s Bells”

Cast

Alba – Becky Cofta
Deirdre – Brittany Boeche-Vossler 
Director – Mitch Weindorf

Casey at the Bat and Casey Bats Again

Author: Ernest Thayer and Grantland Rice

Hear this classic poem about baseball followed by cleverly devised sequal. It is more Irish than you might imagine.

Cast

Casey – Kevin Callahan
Director – Amy Callahan

Melody

Author: Deirdre Kinahan

Two lonely souls discover they share many common interests including classical music, ham and cheese sandwiches and massage parlors.

We have presented this play previously to rave reviews.

Cast

Kathleen – Amy Callahan
Mr. Kane – Kevin Callahan 
Director – Lindsey Gagliano

Julia Elizabeth

Author: James Stephens

Will Julia Elizabeth sign on to her parents’ best efforts to encourage her towards marriage?

Another audience favorite we are  bringing back this year.

Cast

Mr. O'Reilly – George Sheppard
Mrs. O'Reilly – Sarah Mankowski
Mr. O'Grady – Joe Picchetti 
Director – Amanda J Hull

Thirst

Authors: Miles na Gopaleen and Flann O’Brien

When a sergeant finds him serving after hours, publican Ignatius Cornelius Coolahan regales his accuser with a protracted story of military service in the desert in the hopes of tapping into his sense of thirst.

We have had many requests to remount this play!

Cast

Mr. C (a publican) – L. Mark Flagg
Jem (a customer) – Nate Press
Peter (an American customer) – Fred Diggins
The Sergeant – Ted Tyson
Director – James J Gallagher

Schedule of performances:

Friday, Aug 19

5:00pm Melody

6:00pm Bring Your A Game

7:00pm Julia Elizabeth

8:00pm Dead Man’s Bells

Saturday, Aug 20

12:30pm Bring Your A Game

1:30pm Casey

2:00m Dead Man’s Bells

3:15 pm Thirst

4:15pm Julia Elizabeth

5:30pm Melody

6:30pm Bring Your A Game

7:15pm Casey

8:00pm Dead Man’s Bells

Sunday Aug 21

12:00pm Casey

1:00pm Bring Your A Game

2:00pm Dead Man’s Bells

3:00pm Julia Elizabeth

4:15pm Thirst

5:15pm Melody

6:00pm Bring Your A Game

Milwaukee Irish Fest Information:

Main Website: https://irishfest.com/Milwaukee-Irish-Fest

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