Flat Rock Playhouse Presents THE YOUNG IRELANDERS

Performing the best of Ireland's musical traditions with a modern twist, international sensation The Young Irelanders will whisk audiences away this coming March 3rd and 4th for three performances only at the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage. Eight young musicians, vocalists, and dancers will dazzle and inspire audiences as they bring a unique mix of tradition and contemporary style to life right before your eyes. Running one weekend only, don't miss your chance to journey with this incredibly talented music collective as they weave together a story that celebrates the heartfelt and high spirited music of Ireland.

Comprised of eight outstanding young performers brought together by the Irish Cultural Academy, The Young Irelanders has performed on six continents, for U.S. presidents, the Queen of England, Prince Albert of Monaco and several heads of state. On their 2018 Tour, entitled Wild Atlantic Way, these internationally acclaimed artists will share the breathtaking beauty of Ireland's Atlantic Coast through music and dance. Transporting audiences from Donegal to West Cork, The Young Irelanders deliver an experience that captures this extraordinary and iconic landscape.

The Young Irelanders are Aimee Fitzpatrick (Vocals), Fionnan O Connor (Whistle & Pipes), Rosie Ferguson (Fiddle), Kevin Murphy (Accordion, Piano & Bodhrán), Cillian MacCabe (Guitar, Banjo & Mandolin), Enda Rafferty (Piano, Keyboards & Bass), Joe Duffey (Dancer), and Ayla Reid (Dancer). Bringing their Irish roots to play in the Appalachian Mountains, The Young Irelanders are sure to astound and delight Flat Rock Playhouse audiences with their technical prowess and infectious spirit.

The Young Irelanders is made possible by Opening Night Sponsor BMW of Asheville and Transportation Sponsor Hunter Nissan.

TICKETS AND SCHEDULE

The Young Irelanders will have performances on Saturday, March 3rd at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM and Sunday, March 4th at 2:00 PM on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage. Tickets are $32 for adults and $16 for students and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse Box Office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

The Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage is located in the Village of Flat Rock at 2661 Greenville Hwy Flat Rock, NC 28731.

FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE

In 1937, a group of struggling performers, led by Robroy Farquhar, organized themselves as the Vagabond Players. The Vagabonds worked in a variety of places over the course of three years, and in 1940 found themselves in the Blue Ridge region of Western North Carolina. The local and tourist community welcomed them with open arms when they presented their first summer season of plays in a 150-year-old grist mill they converted into The Old Mill Playhouse at Highland Lake. So successful was that summer, they returned in 1941. After WWII, the Vagabond Players reorganized, came back to the region and opened a playhouse in nearby Lake Summit. The Lake Summit Playhouse thrived during the post war years and soon the Vagabond Players were looking for a larger and permanent home. In 1952, the troupe of performers, and a newly formed board of directors, made an offer to buy an 8-acre lot in the Village of Flat Rock. This new home made the Vagabonds "locals" and a rented big top gave birth to Flat Rock Playhouse. As the beautiful Western Carolina region continued to grow, so did the Playhouse and in 1961, by Act of the North Carolina General Assembly, Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. What began as a few weeks of summer performances in 1940 is now a nine-month season of plays including Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and theatre for young audiences. The Playhouse's dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; and Studio 52, year-round classes and workshops in theatre and film for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 100,000 patrons annually and is a significant contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina.

Photo: Vocalist Aimee Fitzpatrick and The Young Irelanders troupe