[NEohioPAL]Flanagan's Wake...fun at the Powerhouse

[Roy Berko]

IRISH WAKE CAN BE FUN AT POWERHOUSE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

Their advertisements read “Come shed a tear, sing a
song or two and share a few pints in this wildly funny
and irreverent Irish Wake.” ‘Tis true.  Much like TONY
N’ TINA’S WEDDING and SECOND CITY, FLANAGAN’S WAKE is
an interactive experience that makes for a delightful
evening.

The premise is the celebration of the life and death
of Flanagan in the mythical town of Grapplin, County
Sligo, Ireland.  As the audience, who are the
“mourners” enter they are confronted by a casket and
members of the cast greeting you and asking your name.
 Every person is given a name tag...all men, true to
Irish tradition, are emblazoned with “Patrick” as a
middle name.  All the women’s first names are, of
course, “Mary.” You’ll be called by your new name all
night.  We meet Flanagan’s long time fiancee, his
priest, his mother and others who knew the deceased. 
As attenders you might be asked to sing one of the
deceased’s favorite songs.  Or, you might be called on
to share a story of an experience you had with
Flanagan.  Don’t go with the idea of being a passive
bystander.  It will probably be impossible as the cast
members sit next to you, wander around the hall, and
engage you in conversation.   They do everything
except buy you beer, which is available at the bar all
night.

The show has been performed for eight years in
Chicago.  It opened in Cleveland in 1996 at Kennedy’s
in Playhouse Square, later moving to the Flats.  The
local production is performed by the Irish Rodeo
Clowns who are a “merry band of actors and actresses
who share a common vision to honor the greatest
treasure God graced the Irish with, a deep passion for
life and love.” Expect to hear blasphemist Catholic
statements, many by the “priest.” Expect to hear the
unexpected, lines such as “they don’t make Jews like
Jesus anymore.”  It’s all part of the experience.  The
more you are prepared to just relax, participate, and
have a good time, the more you’ll enjoy yourself.  As
the program states, “the play may be a bit bawdy or a
touch irreverent on occasion, but it is all in good
fun.”

 The cast list includes 20 performers though only
eight appear nightly.   As cast members differ greatly
in their improv abilities, the show varies greatly
according to who is performing the evening you attend.
    

On the night I attended stellar performances were
presented by Gene Foster, who portrayed the mayor,
Michael Mueller, adlibbing through the role of Mickey,
the brother of Flanagan’s long time fiancee, and John
M. Regan as the priest.  All seemed comfortable,
involved, and quick with the improvisations.  Kira
Pilat as Tara, the pianist, masterfully ad libs on the
ivories to fit the mood of the presentation and fill
in with appropriate songs, such as “Danny Boy.”

The show ends with the plea, “If you like us, tell 100
or 200 of your friends.  If not, shut your mouth.”
You’ll probably be telling many of your friends.  This
is a fun, if not spectacular evening of entertainment.

 FLANAGAN’S WAKE is performed at the Powerhouse Pub at
Nautica every Friday and Saturday night only.   For
tickets call 216-795-7000.

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