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Arts & Literature

Weekly Comment:
Keeping the Tradition Alive

By John Kearns and Karen Daly, IAW&A
September 18, 2015

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“...a fine green thread binds us together…” ‪– Colin Broderick   Irish American Writers and Artists, Inc. (IAW&A) celebrated its 100th Manhattan Salon at the Cell Theatre September 15 with a curated evening of readings and performances and a retrospective of IAW&A Salon photographs by Cathleen Dwyer. Considered the brainchild of Malachy McCourt, the IAW&A … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment:
Keeping the Tradition Alive

DruidShakespeare in New York

By Tara Dougherty, Music Editor
August / September 2015

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Tony-Award winning director Garry Hynes and Ireland’s Druid Theatre Company brought Shakespeare to the Lincoln Center Festival this summer. Making their fourth appearance at the festival, Druid Theatre Company debuted their epic DruidShakespeare: The History Plays in New York July 7th. The seven-hour production condenses Shakespeare’s “Henriad,” Richard II, Henry IV (parts 1 … [Read more...] about DruidShakespeare in New York

Kelli O’Hara Wins Tony (Finally)


By Irish America Staff
August / September 2015

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Irish-American Broadway actress Kelli O’Hara (above) finally took home a Tony award for her performance of Anna in the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I in June after six previous nominations. “Broadway’s Irish Colleen” beat out fellow rivals Kristin Chenoweth (who hosted the event), legend Chita Rivera, and Beth Malone. ♦ … [Read more...] about Kelli O’Hara Wins Tony (Finally)

Oscar Wilde Play Banned in Russia

By Matthew Skwiat, Contributing Editor
August / September 2015

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Plans to stage a 1997 play based on Oscar Wilde: “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde” were halted after the Russian government barred the company from accepting any foreign funds for “artistic purposes” according to The New York Times. The much lauded New Drama theater in Moscow was attempting to put on Moises Kaufman’s play with funding from the U.S … [Read more...] about Oscar Wilde Play Banned in Russia

Michael Longley Given
Freedom of the City in Belfast

By R. Bryan Willits, Editorial Assistant
June / July 2015

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Michael Longley, poet, educator, and promoter of the arts, received the highest honor that one can receive from the Belfast City Council on March 23, 2015. The Freedom of the City title, much like the Key to the City awards given in American cities, is, according to Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon: “the city’s formal expression of the high regard, esteem, and affection in which our … [Read more...] about Michael Longley Given
Freedom of the City in Belfast