PlayhouseSquare Presents The Irish Rovers, 3/2

THE Irish Rovers bring an early St. Patrick's Day spirit to PlayhouseSquare with a one-night-only concert at the intimate Ohio Theatre Friday, March 2 at 8 pm. This may be a Cleveland swan song for The Rovers considering they just announced that the group will retire in three years-their 50th anniversary of singing together.

One of The Rovers' biggest hits, "Wasn't That A Party?", is an apt description of the group's incredible 47 years as international ambassadors of good fun. "Party" was a cross-over hit from their "folk" roots, as well as their Christmas recording of "Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer." But their first million-selling record-the one that made them a household name-was "The Unicorn," written by world-famous cartoonist Shel Silverstein.

They are about to debut their newest album, Drunken Sailor, featuring songs about the seas, and one that is in tribute to the Titanic on the 100th anniversary of its sinking. The Titanic has been an ongoing Irish influence for the group since the big ship was built in Belfast with many of the passengers lost being Irish. Ironically, the Rovers' leader, George Millar, was born on an April 14th…the day the Titanic sunk.

As one critic wrote, "The Irish Rovers provide more than a couple hours of high-paced ditties, fast-stepping jigs and hard-drinking stompers. They provide a slice of Irish life-a taste for the land and its people."

Tickets for The Irish Rovers are $45, $35 & $10 Smart Seats, on sale at 216-241-6000 or online at playhousesquare.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.