Weddings, Wakes 'n Whiskey

About the Book

This collection of plays celebrates that wave of Irish people who came to America at the turn of the 20th century. As the Irish greenhorns helped fight for America in World War 1, so too their children also joined with the immigrants' children from other European countries in World War 2 to prove they were truly a vital part of the “melting pot” that was and remains America's strength.

About the Author

The Author Martin P. Kelly was artistic director of the Bridge Theater in Whitehall (NY) from1999 to 2009 on the 100-year old Champlain Canal vehicular structure on which the theater was built. Of the seven plays he wrote for the theater company during that period, five of them dealt with Whitehall during the American Revolution. These plays were among the 17 he has written during his career, including the three in this book. In addition, he also wrote nine musical revues during his 10 years at Bridge Theater that featured the music of a leading composer in each production. He has also served as drama critic for 24 years with the Albany Times Union (NY) and reviewed more than 2,500 plays and musicals in the Albany region, on Broadway, in Canada as well as in London and Moscow. As a director, producer and actor, he has staged and/or appeared in more than 200 productions in his 50 years in theater. Of the 17 plays he has written, two have been presented off-Broadway while the others have been presented in regional and dinner theaters throughout Northeastern New York State.