The Irish… and How They Got That Way
Frank McCourt’s Musical Smash Hit
The Irish… and How They Got That Way
January 31 – March 15, 2026
Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.
By Frank McCourt
Music & Lyrics by Various Artists
Directed by David Girolmo
Music Directed by David Fiorello
Original Musical Arrangements by Rusty McGee
The Irish… and How They Got That Way is an irreverent musical history of Ireland through the tumultuous 20th and 21st centuries seen through the eyes of Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, Teacher Man) whose razor sharp wit, coupled with his trademark satirical irony and boundless love for the Irish People are all underscored by humor, heartache and a glorious score that spans 100+ years from “Danny Boy,” “Galway Bay” and “The Rare Old Times” to “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra” and U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For.”
THE IRISH… AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY IS INCLUDED IN PORCHLIGHT’S 2025 – 2026 SUBSCRIPTION SERIES.
SINGLE TICKETS ARE ON-SALE NOW!
DAVID GIROLMO (DIRECTOR)
Previously at Porchlight: Sweeney Todd, Candide, Chicago Sings, New Faces Sing Broadway 1951 (host), and others
David Girolmo is a veteran of hundreds of productions here in Chicago and around the United States and Canada. He made his Broadway debut in Candide directed by Hal Prince and was recently seen on Broadway in War Paint starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole, directed by Michael Greif. He is a multiple Jeff nominee and Jeff Award winner and a multiple Broadway World Award winner. Among his TV and Film credits are: “Crisis” (Congressman Langston Wirth), “Chicago P.D.” (Jim Varney), “Empire” (Dr. Sirak), “Chicago Fire” (Chief Grimes), “E.R.” (Officer Gaines), “Death of a President” (Hospital Spokesperson Dr. Peralto). He is married to Heidi Kettenring, who hung the moon and stars.
DAVID FIORELLO (MUSIC DIRECTOR)
Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Sings the Season, Gypsy, Porchlight in Concert Sunday in the Park with George, Porchlight Revisits and others
David Fiorello is an Equity Jeff award-winning music director, director, performer, orchestrator and playwright that’s had his work featured across the globe. His most recent Porchlight credits include serving as music director for Porchlight in Concert: Sunday in the Park With George, Blues in the Night (starring Tony-Nominee Felicia P. Fields), Gypsy (starring E. Faye Butler), Woman of the Year, Do Re Mi, The Apple Tree, the New Faces Sing Broadway series, as well as several editions of Chicago Sings, and the upcoming mainstage production of The Irish … and How They Got That Way. He served as music director for the John Doyle Sweeney Todd national tour, as well as Off-Broadway’s Danny & Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical. Internationally, he’s the head of the Musical Theatre Program as part of the International Lyric Academy in Vicenza, Italy. Fiorello is also the founder of The Beautiful City Project and CEO of Fiorello Studios. He is continually inspired by the love of his life.