An Irish Carol

Matthew J. Keenan’s new play, An Irish Carol just opened at Keegan Theatre, has a gritty realism that is unmatched among the holiday fare now playing in the DC area; it’s as bracing as a shot of Bushmills, but not necessarily pleasing to those seeking something a bit milder. 

David (Kevin Adams), the middle-aged owner of an Irish pub, is a bitter, ill-tempered man who has managed to drive away all but his most committed customers.  While some longtime acquaintances testify that he was once a carefree young man who dreamed of travel and loved a local girl, David, like his father before him, ended up devoting his life to the business to the detriment of any personal life.

Christmas Eve finds David in full Scrooge-like mode –  turning down an invitation for dinner with the family of his younger brother Michael (Mike Kozemchak), ordering his kindly Polish bartender Bartek (Josh Sticklin) to work all day on Christmas instead of spending it with his wife and young daughter, and being rude to former employee Simon (Jon Towson) and his fiancée Anna (Susan Marie Rhea).  He has little forgiveness in his heart for former friend Richard (Mick Tinder) who wound up with David’s neglected girlfriend decades earlier.

It’s a riff on A Christmas Carol, minus the supernatural interventions.  Instead, it is the story of real people full of conflicts and personal problems.  On the plus side, the work feels as authentic as Mark A. Rhea’s utterly convincing Irish pub set.  The story of David’s sad life has a powerful emotional impact, especially as we learn more about the sources of that sadness.

However, David is so ornery and unpleasant it is hard to feel too much empathy for him. Even his few friends describe him in unflattering terms, none of which can’t be printed here.  (Warning: the play features ample cursing, although the effect, for some, may be softened by the Irish lilt.) And the setup for David’s ultimate softening is a little predictable and not entirely convincing.

The primary entertainment value of the play comes from Keenan’s gift for dialogue.  The two regular barflies at David’s pub, Jim (David Jourdan) and Frank (Timothy Hayes Lynch), provide exposition and laughs in a seamless manner thanks to two very talented characterizations.  Bartender Bartek’s less than sure grasp of the English language is quite amusing.  Other characters provide unexpected humor with perfect timing under the sure-handed direction of Mark A. Rhea.

A bittersweet tale like Keegan’s An Irish Carol may offer some audience members a welcome balance to all the holiday sweetness and good cheer. However, it is not a play for the discouraged or downhearted.

Keegan Theatre recommends this play for ages 16 and up.

Keegan Theatre’s production of An Irish Carol runs thru Dec 31, 2011 at Church Street Theater, 1742 Church St NW, Washington, DC.

An Irish Carol

Written by Matthew J. Keenan
Directed by Mark A. Rhea
Produced by The Keegan Theatre
Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Running time:  1 hour 20 minutes with no intermission

Rating of the show:  Somewhat Recommended

Other reviews

• Celia Wren . Washington Post
  Chris Klimek . Washington City Paper
  Jonathan Padget . Metro Weekly
  Barbara Mackay . Washington Examiner
• Mark A. Newman . StageBuzz
• Nelson Pressley . Washington Post
• Elliot Lanes . MDTheatreGuide