|
|
|
Finian's Rainbow
*
Ciaran appeared in the Concert Performance of Finian's
Rainbow, as the romantic hero, Woody - opposite Melissa
Errico's Sharon and Denis O'Hare's leprechaun Og, and
John Cullum as Finian. The occasion was the tenth annual
gala benefit for the Irish Repertory Theatre in NYC,
at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan. Hosted by Ms. Lauren
Bacall, the evening was filled with magic as the classic
musical by Burton Lane and E.Y.Harburg reminded us to
"follow the fellow who follows a dream." The show is
historically significant,and in l947 was considered
daring for its depiction of racial harmony in a mythical
Southern State. It was the winner of two Tony awards
in the first year that the awards were given. Familiar
songs abound,such as Old Devil Moon, How Are Things
In Glocca Morra, and Look To The Rainbow. This was one
of the most successful benefits the Irish Rep has offered.
Truly,something sort of "grandish".
|
"Follow The Fellow Who Follows
A Dream"
The brilliance
of the evening was somewhat dimmed and bittersweet as it was
the first Irish Rep Benefit to go on without the talent and
friendship of Rusty Magee. Rusty was a very dear friend, and
he succumbed to cancer on February 16th, 2003. Born Benjamin
Rush Magee, "Rusty" was married to actress Alison Fraser.
They were the parents of a young son, Nate. A composer, producer,
playwright, comedian, actor, musical director, cabaret performer,
and master of many musical instruments, Rusty was at home
with any genre. Audiences would burst into spontaneous applause
and he would consistently stop the show at performances of
"The Irish...And How They Got That Way." He holds several
degrees in music theory and drama, including an honorary degree
from the Yale Drama School, where he was musical consultant
for several years. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and a
recipient of the "Coming Up Taller" Humanitarian Award which
was presented to him at the White House by First Lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton, in recognition of his work with the 52nd Street
Project, a theatre company in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan.
Rusty was a rare and beloved person. He was but 47 years old
when he left us. The notice in the Irish Repertory Theatre
publication, Prologue, expressed it very well - "A
blizzard covered the city on the night he died. We cannot
but think that his last big entrance shook the heavens and
sent a zillion snowflakes to earth."
* June
1, 2003 Ciaran participates in the reopening of the Irish
Famine Memorial In Battery Park, NYC
* Ciaran
joined with Eily O'Grady-Patterson and Eanan Patterson once
more, for an onstage journey FROM BROADWAY TO GALWAY. Commencing
in the fall of 2002 and visiting cities throughout the country,
the concerts feature a varied program of traditional Irish
as well as classics of American musical theater. During the
holiday season, Ciaran appeared onstage in concert performances
of PEACE AND JOY.
* Ciaran
was invited to sing the National Anthems of Ireland and The
United States at the dedication of the Irish Hunger Memorial
in Battery Park, in New York City. In attendance on this memorable
occasion (July 16, 2002) were New York Governor George Pataki,
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rudolph Giuliani, Ed Koch, The President
of Ireland, Mary McAleese, and the artist, Brian Tolle. Ciaran
was heard by a great many other dignitaries and celebrities
representing both countries. It was indeed an honor. In addition
to the speeches and musical tributes offered by such luminaries
as Frank and Malachy McCourt, Cardinal Eagan, and Cherish
The Ladies, Ciaran and the original cast of The Irish...And
How They Got That Way presented the portion of the play that
dealt so heartbreakingly with the Irish hunger. Yet another
standing ovation - well deserved.
* July
15, 2002 New York City - Ciaran performed at a reception and
banquet for the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, singing
the National Anthems of both countries before an assemblage
of several hundred dignitaries that included top Government
and Church officials, as well as the Governor's mother, Margaret
Lynch Pataki. Ciaran and the original cast of Frank McCourt's
"The Irish...And How They Got That Way" performed scenes fro
the show and were rewarded with a STANDING OVATION!
* From
November 2001 to well into 2002, Ciaran performed onstage
with Eily O'Grady, Eanan Patterson and guest artists in a
series of concerts entitled "Ireland In Song".
* St.
Patrick's Day, 2002 - Ciaran stopped by Adrian Flannelly's
Irish Radio program briefly. He performed at the Mohegan Sun
Casino in Connecticut along with Eily O'Grady and Eanan Patterson.
He was also the guest of NY Governor Pataki at a reception
for the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.
*On stage
in New York (8/28/01 - 9/23/01) Ciaran returned to the Irish
Repertory Theatre in a sold-out engagement of Frank McCourt's
wildly successful play, "The Irish...And How They Got That
Way." He was joined by original cast members Terry Donnelly,
Rusty Magee, Donna Kane, Bob Green, and from the San Francisco
production, Peter Cormican.
* In June
Ciaran was seen onstage at the John Golden Theatre in "Circasia!
A Celtic Circus!" - the 8th Annual Broadway Benefit for The
Irish Repertory Theater. Held on June 4, 2001, it was billed
as "An Irish Hooley On Broadway".
* Ciaran
appeared in March, April, and May of 2001 at several events,
including the Friar's Club in NYC, where he sang for President
Clinton, and an appearance at The Library Of Congress for
the Horatio Alger Society. He also managed to pop up on Irish
Radio as Adrian Flannelly's St. Patrick's Day guest.
* Ciaran
starred in THE HOSTAGE By Brendan Behan on stage at the Irish
Repertory Theatre in NYC. Opening on 10-29-00 it was extended
past its scheduled closing date, and ran until New Year's
Eve, 2001.
* In September
of 2000 Ciaran was on stage at the Amarillo Civic Center in
Amarillo, TX, singing at a benefit for the Lone Star Ballet
Co. He performed Music Of The Night from Phantom, as well
as selections from Ha'Penny Bridge, his debut CD, and a special
tribute to country music legend Hank Williams, "I'm So Lonesome,
I Could Cry".
* In June,
2000 Ciaran joined Rosemary Clooney and other stars on the
stage of the Broadhurst Theatre in NYC for "Song Of The Century",
the 7th Annual Broadway Benefit for the Irish Repertory Theatre.
* Ciaran
sang Danny Boy for Hillary Cinton and other visiting dignitaries
during a visit to Irish Radio on S. Patrick's Day, March 17,
2000.
* Concert
appearance at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on
March 15, 2000 with Rusty Magee and the Cathedral Choir.
* March
4, 2000 Ciaran was invited to sing for the major Presidential
candidates at the Irish American Presidential Forum in New
York City.
*
Ciaran recently appeared as a public defender on the television
show, LAW & ORDER.
*Television
audiences have seen his work previously on ANOTHER WORLD.
*He was
honored by being asked to sing at the internationally televised
Memorial Mass for John F. Kennedy, Jr.
*Ciaran
and the cast of Frank McCourt's The Irish...And How They Got
That Way were seen on Public Television last St. Patrick's
Day, in a televised version of their highly successful show.
This was followed by the video release of the PBS broadcast.
*Theater
audiences have seen Mr. Sheehan in a wide variety of roles,
including the original cast of the aforementioned The Irish...And
How They Got That Way.
*Ciaran
played the role of James McKenna in The Molly Maguires, a
new musical by William Strzempek and Sid Cherry. Set in the
coal mines of l9th century Pennsylvania, it was a strong statement
of the plight of Irish mineworkers and the emerging labor
movement. Set against this rather dark background was a moving
love story.
*Ciaran
played W.B. Yeats in the play Byzantium.
* Ciaran
appeared in Hal Prince's award-winning play Grandchild of
Kings (Tom) , based on the life of Sean O'Casey.
*Ciaran
appeared on Broadway in Les Miserables (Babet, Marius).
*Over
a thousand performances as The Phantom in The Phantom of The
Opera in Toronto and New York.
*New York
audiences applauded his portrayal of the dashing romantic
hero Raoul in The Phantom of The Opera.
FROM GALWAY TO BROADWAY PBS WORLD PREMIERE
On Sunday October 29, 2006 at 3:30 PM New York Public Television Station WLIW21 proudly presents the premiere showing of Ciaran's concert at historic Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. The special, taped in June, 2006, features Ciaran with award-winning soprano Gay Willis, and the New York Festival Orchestra conducted by David Holcenberg. During the broadcast, Ciaran will be live in the studio along with co-producer Eily Patterson, to speak about From Galway To Broadway, which has toured extensively for the past four years, across America and Ireland, performing to sold out audiences at venues such as The National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland and Carnegie Hall, in New York. During the program viewers will be able to show their support for WLIW21's programming by calling 1-800-767-2121 or visiting them online at www.wliw,org. WLIW will distribute the program nationwide beginning November 25, 2006. Contact your local PBS station at www.pbs.org/stationfinder for airdates in your area or to request they schedule FROM BROADWAY TO GALWAY.
|
