It is a re-creation of a night before Christmas in the West of Ireland in the 1940s, before the advent of motorcar, the television, and the telephone. The show takes us back to rural Ireland where neighbors gathered at each other’s houses and brought with them — not gold frankincense or myrrh, but gifts equally precious – their gifts of music, song, dance and storytelling.
On stage, the spirit of Christmas dances to life and glows brightly when the artists – ‘the neighbors’ – gather to create a wholesome, cultural, family feast directly from the rich table of communal life in the west of Ireland. It was in such places and on such nights that the delightful treasury of Irish culture was created, expanded and preserved. By recreating just such a night on stage, Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas brings the timeless tradition to American audiences.
“Chicago has a special place in Irish hearts. When I was growing up in rural Ireland our neighbors, every Christmas, would get a big parcel from their relatives in that fabled city so far across the sea – Chicago. So we’re especially delighted be bringing a taste of Christmas in rural Ireland to Chicago,” said Tomáseen.
Joining Tomáseen on stage is a star studded cast of the finest and most authentic exponents of the Celtic arts performing anywhere today, on either side of the Atlantic. Grammy award winning guitar player, William Coulter; All-Ireland champion Eimear Arkins; multi-instrumentalist Brian Bigley; and renowned dancers Marcus Donnelly, and Natalie Wagner.
Come enjoy a Guinness with us before the show! The Paradiso bar will be open beginning at 5:00 PM.
