Shannon, Co. Clare resident Kelly O’Keeffe believes that her idea of staging her 9/11-themed play “Liberty’s Ladder” in New York during St. Patrick’s week was perhaps a tad unrealistic. “In hindsight this was madness. And extremely naïve,” she said.
But in January, she secured two venues – the Kileshandra Room in Rory Dolan’s and Stage Left Studio – for five performances over the St. Patrick’s season. Not bad, given that the idea for the play only took root when she hit the wall running the marathon last fall. During that 22nd mile, she reflected on how much her own life had changed since Sept. 11, 2001 (she was working in Nantucket at the time and was visiting Manhattan with her mother on the day of the tragedy).
O’Keeffe enlisted the support of Newmarket-on-Fergus youth group Féidir Linn Productions in developing the project. She also won the enthusiastic backing of relatives of Probationary Firefighter Sean Tallon, who lost his life on 9/11.
Prominent local actor John Higgins, who is the brother of President Michael D. Higgins, will be the “voice of Ireland” and Brian McNamara of the Torch Players in Limerick is the “spirit of JFK.” They’re joined on stage by emerging actor Mark McNulty from Newmarket, while Chris Ryan and Thomas McNamara provide the traditional Irish vocals, accompanied by harpist Caitriona Fawl.
“Liberty’s Ladder” will be performed at Rory Dolan's, McLean Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. on Thursday, March 15, and Monday, March 19, at 7.30 p.m., and at Stage Left Studio, 214 West 30th St. on Sunday, March 18, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Tuesday, March 20, at 8 p.m.
