Portlaoise Musical Society to celebrate its 25th anniversary with blockbuster show

PORTLAOISE Musical Society celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with their most spectacular show yet ‘Guys & Dolls’.

The society enjoyed a sell-out performances, standing ovations and rave reviews for their ‘Made in Dagenham’ last November and are excited to bring one of the most beloved Broadway shows to the stage for its dazzling Portlaoise revival in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise from Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 November.

‘Guys & Dolls’ takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafés of Havana, Cuba, and into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

The original production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ got what might be the most unanimously ecstatic reviews in Broadway history.

Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, ‘Guys & Dolls’ is an oddball romantic comedy that centres around Gambler Nathan Detroit (played by Andrew Docherty), his girlfriend, nightclub performer Miss Adelaide (played by Aishling Rohan), his fellow gambler Sky Masterson (played by Cormac Malone) and straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown (played by Ciara Finlay).

This year’s show is directed by Art McGauran, choreographed by Stephanie Browne and musical direction by Mary Rose McNally, the same team that produced 'Made in Dagenham'.

The latest show is set to be one of Portlaoise Musical Society’s most spectacular yet with a set built specially for the Dunamaise Art Centre stage by Anthony Kirby and backdrop visual design and projections by David Hynes and Vecteezy.com and Broadway-like costumes accompanied by breath-taking singing and sensational dancing.

Chairman of Portlaoise Musical Society JJ Tynan said: “Over the past quarter century, Portlaoise Musical Society has grown from a small group with a big dream into a vibrant part of Laois' arts and cultural landscape. This year we celebrate more than just our past achievements, we look to the future with excitement and ambition, committed to nurturing musical theatre in Laois and continuing to provide a platform where local talent can shine.

“In the years to come, we hope to bring even more people into the joy of performance, inspire the next generation of performers and keep the spirit of live theatre thriving in our community.” 

The society’s group are making the most of their anniversary celebrations this year having recently held their glitzy Silver Anniversary Ball in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise as well a fantastic commemoration of their first ever production ‘Oklahoma!’ at Fossey Mountain Ranch.

In 1999 ‘Laois Musical Society’ which later became Portlaoise Musical Society was established after a small group of people including Timmy and Josie Keane, Catherine Scully and Joe O’Brien met up to devise a plan for the county’s first musical society. 

The group first took to the stage with the show ‘Oklahoma’ under the helm of its inaugural committee including Chairperson Timmy Keane, Vice Chairperson Joan McEvoy, Secretary Joe O’Brien, Assistant Secretary Carmel McSweeney, Treasurer Ken McPherson, PRO Seán Ó’Domhnaill and members Liam Ahern, Josephine Keane, Yvonne Murphy and Catherine Scully. The society immediately captivated the local community, its members and audiences and went on to present 22 more fabulous productions.

In the 25 years, the society has gone from strength to strength with high acclamations and winning a plethora of A.I.M.S. (Association of Irish Musical Societies) All-Ireland Musical Awards. The stand out moments were in 2019 when the society won Best Overall Show with ‘Titanic - The Musical’ and the following year winning Best Overall Show’(Runner-up) with ‘Ragtime-The Musical.’ 

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s show and are priced at €25/23 each and available by logging onto dunamaise.ie or by phoning 057 8663355.

Further information about the society at portlaoisemusicalsociety.ie .