A Wake

By Callen Harty

Directed by Matt Kenyon

Poor Adam Molony. Killed by a cow. Well, sort of, that is. You see, it's said that young Adam Molony didn't notice the poor animal standing sheepishly in the middle of the road when he came flying over the hill - and before he knew what hit him, it was too late. Now Adam is dead, and as for the cow... well, no one really knows what led her into harm's way that fateful day, but it's clear her milking days are over - and that's no bull.

Udderly ridiculous, you say? Not for a small farming community in rural Wisconsin - and certainly not ridiculous for the Molonys, an Irish-Catholic family accustomed to members of their clan perishing in some of the most bizarre, unusual, and life-defying circumstances ever. It's just business as usual for the Molonys.

Or is it? This particular Molony wake/family reunion isn-t going to be quite like others of the recent past. In fact, young Kieran O'Neill insists on having a good, old-fashioned Irish wake for his cousin at the home of the deceased's mother, Deirdre, who grudgingly gives in to his demand for tradition and turns her home into a funeral parlor for a day. But - as the Molonys are about to find out - some old-world traditions die for a reason - and that's exactly where the fun begins!

Broom Street Theater proudly presents Callen Harty's smash hit A Wake - an outrageous comedy written by Harty and directed by Broom Street veteran Matt Kenyon - which twinkles an eye at the notion that even the dead can't escape the ties that bind when it's the living who are left in control.

Hailed by critics and audiences alike, A Wake was originally presented in 2006 to packed houses, and comes back from the dead on January 16, 2009 - opening Broom Street Theater's 40th anniversary season. It replaces the previously announced Myth America.

A Wake boasts the talents of veteran Broom Street actors Nancy Craig, Ben Doran, Collin Erickson, Lauri Harty, Joseph Lutz, Scott Rawson, Destiny Sabljak, Deiven Swimm, Christina Beller, Jennifer Russ and Sean Strache - plus welcomes BST newcomers Christine Khouyoudi and Justin Lawfer to the stage.

Come treat yourself to a delightful romp through one day in the life of an Irish-American family a bit too familiar with death. It's A Wake - opening Friday, January 16th at Broom Street Theater - celebrating 40 years of original and experimental theater in the Madison area !!!

Broom Street Theater: One theater. Many voices. 40 years! How cool is that?

Produced by Broom Street Theater at Broom Street Theater, 1119 Williamson Street, Madison

Performances: January 16 - February 22, 2009

Performance Times: Friday & Saturdays @ 8:00 p.m., Sunday matinees @ 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices: Tickets for evening shows are $9 and Matinees are $6.

Call 608-244-8338 for reservations or more information.

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