BAYTOWN, TX — A cast of the best singers, dancers and musicians from the British Isles will bring a rhythmic and rousing celebration of 100 years of Irish independence to the Lee College Performing Arts Center (PAC) this weekend, and tickets are still available.
“Celtic Nights – Spirit of Freedom” is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 16, in the PAC main hall. Tickets for the show start at $25 and can be purchased online at www.lee.edu/pac or by calling the Box Office at 281.425.6255.
After first performing at Lee College in 2014, Celtic Nights will now lead the audience on a musical journey of patriotism, revenge, love and courage taken straight from the pages of Ireland’s history. The production is inspired by the Easter Rising of 1916, when Irish nationalists took up arms to rebel against the presence of the British government in their country. Though it was ultimately suppressed, the Irish people considered the uprising a triumph because it revived their hopes and dreams for liberty.
With songs, laughter, music, dance and stirring visuals, the cast of Celtic Nights weaves individual story lines into the narrative — sharing the courage and sacrifice of Irish heroes and heroines fighting for independence, and encapsulating the passion and spirit of freedom that remain in the country even today.
“We’re confident that this story will resonate strongly with American audiences; indeed, with all people who cherish freedom, independence and democracy,” said Michael Durkan, show producer. “The show brings together story lines from Ireland’s history book, but in a way that engages the audience’s mind, heart and spirit. They might be laughing one minute, pondering the next, maybe wiping away a tear.”
Lee College is one of 54 stops that Celtic Nights will make as part of its latest North American tour. Rebekah Shearer, co-producer of “Spirit of Freedom” and a singer who performs in the show, attributes the cast’s growing following to the way they are able to make audience members a part of the magic.
“One of my favorite parts of the show is the ‘unplugged’ section, where the cast comes to the lip of the stage in an informal way to talk, to sing songs, to lead the audience in singing along,” Shearer said. “It becomes a real Irish party, like one would find in a pub. It’s not just a show, it’s a friendship. It’s brilliant.”