FOR the last 30 years, the Marian Choral Society in Tuam have kept audiences spellbound with their breath-taking performances and non-stop entertainment. This year, as the talented group get ready to sing and dance their hearts out in 'Wonderful Town', the people of the North Galway and the surrounds can be guaranteed that this show will certainly be one to remember.

The cast take to the stage tonight in St Jarlath's College Hall for their first production at 8.30pm and will be on stage each night until Saturday November 4.

Set in New York in the Summer of 1935, 'Wonderful Town' is the musical adaptation of 'My Sister Eileen', a play that is itself based on the collection of short stories of the same name by Ruth McKenney. The amusing script, which was written by Jerome Chodorov with musical numbers from the world-renowned Leonard Bernstein, revolves around sisters Ruth Sherwood (Orla Togher) and Eileen Sherwood (Cliodhna Hurst), who have left their sheltered lives in Ohio, determined to forge new lives for themselves in New York as a writer and actress respectively. However, for the ambitious sisters, things aren't quite as glamorous as they would have hoped and soon they are living in a basement apartment loaned to them by the 'loveable' landlord, Mr Appopolous (Ken Kealy).

Desperate to realise their dreams, the girls set out to try their hand at achieving their goals by obtaining work in the Big Apple but they quickly learn that things are not going to be as easy as they thought. The sisters are faced with defeat and humiliation but Eileen isn't too downhearted, as she has met Frank Lippencott (Vincent Warde), a local store manager who has developed a crush on her. By the end of the musical, Ruth has also met and fallen in love with Bob Baker (John Mulrooney), a fellow writer, but before this amorous ending for the naïve duo, the sisters encounter many problems along their journey.

Most notable of these encounters is their dealings with the slimy newspaper scribe, Chick Clark (Norman Quinn) who only has eyes for Eileen and sends Ruth on a bogus assignment so that he can be alone with her sister. The two girls also have dealings with Officer Lonigan (John Fahy) and Speedy Valenti (Ray McGrath), the 'cool' and rhythmical owner of the local club, the Village Vortex.

Other cast members along the way include Wreck (Louis Brennan), Guide (Shane Kelly), Violet (Suzanne Garvey) and Mrs Wade (Fidelma Burke).

As the story progresses, Ruth and Eileen try to come to terms with life in New York as they hunt for jobs and find love along the way. On a whirlwind journey through the city, the sisters find themselves in a host of difficult situations, ranging from chaotic confusion to the jailhouse!

'Wonderful Town' is a laugh-a-minute production and the cast have been working hard on their individual roles and group scenes to produce the best possible show for their admiring public.

The Marian Choral Society have long held a wonderful reputation in the Connacht region and beyond and this production of 'Wonderful Town' marks the Society's 30th Anniversary production. The Tuam Society is unique in the West of Ireland, and indeed in the rest of Ireland, in that they have produced shows consecutively over the past 30 years, through both economically harsh times and the later Celtic Tiger years. What makes this achievement all the more remarkable is that the Society has never once repeated a show and throughout their three decades of performances, have been responsible for some amazing performances, as well as myriad regional, Irish and European premieres.

Not surprisingly, the Society is proud of this record and they look forward to the next 30 years of working with the people in Tuam in producing Musicals of the standard that has come to be expected of the team.

Last year, the group impressed audiences with 'Jekyll and Hyde' and they are equally confident this year that the crowds will be literally crying out for more. In fact, it is not at all uncommon in Tuam that punters will line up to see their shows more than once and judging by the amount of work that has gone into 'Wonderful Town', no doubt this will once again be the case.

In keeping with their reputation, the cast for this year's musical is second to none and through their magical voices, tremendous talent and amazing ability, the gifted thespians will provide a truly exceptional show on each of their five nights on stage. The cast are both hard working and extremely enthusiastic and are really looking forward to this challenging production.

Musical lovers travel from all across the region each year to see what the brilliant Society have on offer and with many tickets already booked well in advance, it looks as though this year will be no different.

The Marian Choral Society have all the components for a memorable, remarkable and entertaining show and the Society are delighted to have Enda Burke making his debut with them as Director. Enda brings real enthusiasm and energy to his production and the cast are enjoying working with him on this show.

Of course, Enda is no stranger to the Society or to musicals in general, first appearing on stage in 1972, playing the part of Little Jake in the St Jarlath's College production of 'Annie Get Your Gun'. It was in 1986 that Enda first became involved with the Marian Choral Society, taking part in their acclaimed production of Jesus Christ Superstar, under the direction of the late Joe Donoghue. He has been involved onstage with the Society for many other productions and apart from his stage work, Enda has been involved backstage in almost all the Society's productions since 1986, with lighting, set construction and set decoration.

Enda has also been involved in straight theatre having joined Meithel Theatre Company at its inception in 1987 and taking part in many of their productions. He went on to be involved with Gateswide and also directed a street performance. This is Enda's first time directing a musical production and he is looking forward to the challenge, albeit with some fear and trepidation!

It will come as no surprise to musical-followers to hear that Noel Kirrane will be the Musical Director for 'Wonderful Town', carrying out this role for the 29th consecutive year. Noel took over as Musical Director, Conductor and Repetiteur with the Marian Choral Society in 1978, when he was fresh out of college and has done every show since, widening the Society's horizons, musically and theatrically. Amazingly, Noel has lost none of his enthusiasm and ambition over the 29 years and is the driving force behind the successful Society. Noel has worked with almost every Musical Society in Connacht, as well as with various Theatre Groups and has acted in the All-Ireland Drama Finals in Athlone. He spent three seasons as Musical Director for the National Children's Choir (Western Region) and has worked on every show in his beloved St Jarlath's College, where he is a teacher, since 1979.

On his retirement after 28 years as Choirmaster/Organist in Tuam's Cathedral of the Assumption earlier this year, the Vatican bestowed on him a Knighthood of the Pontifical Order of Pope St Sylvester. Noel is an Honorary Life Member of Ballinrobe Musical Society, with whom he has worked for the last 12 years, and is a former Tuam Person of the Year.

Aoife McClafferty comes on board this year for her first show with the Society as Choreographer. A primary teacher from Galway, Aoife brings a wealth of experience to this production, as she has worked extensively on dance productions in Galway, most notably with Encore Youth Theatre.

'Wonderful Town' will take to the stage in St Jarlath's College Hall, Tuam from tonight (Tuesday October 31), straight through until Saturday November 4. The curtains will be raised on the performance at 8.30pm nightly and patrons would be well advised to arrive early to secure a seat.

The hard working and dedicated cast and direction team, together with the exceptional orchestra, stage manager, lighting team, make-up artists, props and costume teams, are all geared up to make this year's musical the best that the town has ever seen.

Taking everything into account, the Marian Choral Society definitely have all the ingredients for a first class show and as with their past performances, you really can't afford to miss this musical masterpiece!

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