A musical history of the Irish by Porchlight Theatre Company – Podcast Theater Review

On one level this is a joyous expression of the Irish people through song but it is also a reminder of pain and struggle but with a wink and nod because Frank McCourt wants us to see the absurdity of life and the humor in being human.

You’ll probably love this if you’re of Irish heritage because of the familiarity of the songs and background message. If you’re a few generations removed or have no Irish heritage you will likely find some insight into this segment of America that makes up about 10% of the overall population.

The Irish and How They Got That Way by Porchlight Theatre Company is at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, through March 15, 2026. Runtime is about 110 minutes with one intermission. Tickets are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight box office at 773.777.9884.

This podcast concludes with an original live rendering of Danny Boy recorded by Reno Lovison at the Roots Room a few years ago.

Be sure to click through and listen to the entire review.

More about Irish music– Learn about Chief O’Neill, the Chicago policeman who saved Irish music.