A PLAY WITH MUSIC BY DEANIE VALLONE & MARK CLEMENTS
the craic
* SEEKING DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES *
Milwaukee Rep’s #1 bestselling show in the stackner cabaret history!
Music and great company in an iconic Irish pub
In one of South Kerry’s most welcoming pubs, four musicians ready themselves for one of their weekly Irish music sessions. But when one of the band’s long estranged members shows up for an unexpected reunion, all their unresolved rivalries, unaired grievances, and unspoken romances rise up. As the night wears on, the five friends play music, swap stories, and share drinks as they contend with their storied pasts and build a hopeful future together. Filled with Irish spirit and humor, and featuring such classics as “Danny Boy” and “Whiskey in the Jar,” this World Premiere musical will have you raising a glass and shouting sláinte by the end of the show!
The Craic whisks theatergoers away…for a spirited night of traditional Irish music, banter and unexpected personal drama…[it] ought to have a long afterlife after this production.
– Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Without sacrificing the quality or quantity of the music, Milwaukee Repertory Theater's world-premiere production has a stronger story than many Stackner Cabaret productions have had. That makes The Craic a perfect fit for people who love Once and Come From Away”
Whether it’s the fast-paced sea shanty “What Do We Do with a Drunken, Sailor?” to classic Irish ballads like “Danny Boy” and “Molly Malone,” the harmonies are seamless. Even the rousing encore of the anthemic, “Whiskey in a Jar” hits ALL the right notes literally and figuratively. “We all have to start somewhere,” says John reflectively in coming back home again. And for him, and the audience, The Craic is a good place to start for some, well, “craic.”
- The Shepherd Express
– Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Craic is a sweet, endearing treat that’s lovely on the ears. Anyone with an affinity for Irish music, culture, or folkloric fun shouldn’t miss it. It’s an antidote to these chilling times—mirthful, snug, and heartfelt. The parting song wishes “joy be to you all,” and The Craic is just that: a joy.
– BroadwayWorld
All photos credited to Michael Brosilow. Lookbook created by Geoffrey Vitello.