Crowded Kitchen Players original theatrical production "The Rising" is the stirring account of the short and tragic attempt by a small band of Irish rebels on Easter Monday1916 to take back control of their own country after centuries of oppressive British rule.It is a story whose lessons are being taught again today in the embattled cities and towns of Ukraine, where at this moment a nation is fighting to maintain its independence against a mightier, foreign oppressor."The Rising" is told through first-hand accounts of the battle, contemporary newspaper reporting, poems and songs of the rebellion, speeches, proclamations, letters from the condemned rebels to their loved ones, and, most compellingly, an interview for "The New York Times" between the journalist/World War I poet, Joyce Kilmer and a young woman, Moira Regan, who was in the General Post Office during the Rising, helping run messages between the rebel forces scattered throughout the city as the battle raged.
Michael Sheridan, who portrays two of the legendary martyrs of the rebellion, union organizer John Connolly and rebel leader "The ORahilly", sees the history of "The Rising" as a universal story.
"The Easter Rebellion lit the fuse for Irish independence," Sheridan explains, "not unlike how the 1969 Stonewall Riots led to the birth of the modern gay rights movement, or how Rosa Parks arrest ultimately inspired the Civil Rights movement. "The Irish people had for centuries been mistreated by England, and efforts to break away from British rule had come and gone with no success. The Easter Rising was the culmination of frustration, anger and resentment at being treated with malice and disrespect by what many considered a foreign power. "Our play provides a perspective into the rebellion where various political ideologies collided during one of the worst periods in world history. The result was a conflict which, while failing to achieve its immediate goals, sparked the flame which led to a larger conflict only a few years later and ultimately resulted in the freedom of Ireland from the United Kingdom."Sure, the immediate aims of the Rising failed in the moment, but the fight and then the British response to the rebellion cause more people in Ireland to demand independence. "I think many of those who participated, and even led, the Rising recognized that they would not achieve their goals. But the hope was that their actions would inspire change. And I think it did. "So, to me, the Rising proved ultimately to succeed."The songs will be performed onstage by Joey Mutis III of the band The Electric Farm, and woven into the fabric of the shows narrative. Songs include "Irelands Rise," "Banna Strand," "'The Row in the Town," "Tri-coloured Ribbon," "The Parting Glass" and "The Foggy Dew.""The songs and the dialogue go hand in hand along the storyline," Mutis remarks, "and the songs punctuate whats happening."The melodies are intoxicating, theres an abundance of emotion in the music, and the lyrics are captivating. I especially love the ballads - Banna Strand, The Parting Glass, The Foggy Dew." Trish Cipoletti, who plays Moira Regan, believes that "The Rising showed the people of Ireland that they were a nation. The spurious courts martial, hurried executions of the leaders, mass arrests, and martial law stoked public anger toward the British and helped build support for the independence movement. Though its goal, an Irish republic, was years away from being realized, the Easter Rising of 1916 spurred that movement. "The success may have been delayed, but it was most definitely a success".The cast features Trish Cipoletti, Dan Ferry, Pamela Wallace, Carla Thew, Sharon Ferry, Bruce Brown, Michael Sheridan, Paula Klein, and Colleen Popper.The play was created by Ara Barlieb, who is also directing. Cast members contributed significantly to the script."The Rising: The Irish Rebellion of 1916 in song and verse," 8 p.m. March 18, 19, 25, 26 and 2 p.m. March 20, 27. at The Charles A. Brown IceHouse, 56 River St., Bethlehem. The show is 75 minutes long.All tickets: $15. Info: 610-704-6974, www.ckplayers.com