When Irish Eyes Are Smiling...

We've started rehearsals for our latest production: The Irish... and How They Got That Way. I couldn't be a happier camper.

Not only are the director, the music director and the cast all young and enthusiastic and very talented, somehow in the past two days of rehearsal they've managed to take this kind of schlocky piece and turn it into something pretty wonderful.

In our cast we have a fiddle player, a flute player, a bagpipe player, a guitar player, a pianist and a drummer. Plus they all sing and act. Our director is hard at work trying to un-cheese the script and create a cohesive piece. Our music director is taking some of the "ha-cha-cha" out of the songs and creating a folky, accoustic sound. It's an incredible process to be a part of.

Angela and I are in heaven-- we get to listen to this great music, hang out with these chill people and do our jobs without any of the negativity and interference we'd grown accustomed to. Plus the material itself, despite dealing with potato famine and discrimination and all manner of Irish hardships, manages to be positive and uplifting, a huge change from our last three shows.

All together it sure is making these Irish eyes smile.