The Irish... and How They Got That Way at Porchlight Music Theatre

Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to present The Irish … and How They Got That Way, by Frank McCourt, original musical arrangements by Rusty Magee with music and lyrics by various artists, directed by David Girolmo and music directed by David Fiorello, January 31 - March 15, 2026 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.

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 … performance schedule is Thursday and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The Irish … is included in Porchlight’s 2025 - 2026 subscription series, available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org. Single tickets are reserved seating and are on sale for $24 - $110 at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight box office at 773.777.9884.