The theatre is the home of the stars. Amidst the blank canvas of the stage, there is an ever-present air of possibility—a star ready to burst into life. And at the Jewel of Broad Street, they will be shining brighter than ever this Christmas.
Lighting up The Desoto stage this season is Christmas in Killarney! The story of an Irish woman and her American boyfriend celebrating Christmas “the ‘Irish’ way,” Christmas in Killarney is a soul-stirring, high-leaping, Rockin-Around-the-Christmas-Tree jamboree.
“Created by the 2009 World Champion of Irish Dance Scott Doherty and worldwide touring Irish musician Chris Smith, Christmas In Killarney combines the excitement of Irish dance with the harmonies of traditional Christmas classics.”
With a group of talented minds behind it, Christmas in Killarney promises to be the show of the season:
“The creative team includes Broadway Director Jeff Whiting, Emmy award winning Set Designer Jason Ardizzone-West, Arranger Gary Lensenmayer, Costume Designer Sarah Cubbage and New York based Light Designer Aaron Porter.”
Christmas in Killarney is making a one night stop to The Desoto on their tour around the United States on December 16th. For one night only, Romans will get to watch these stars take the stage.
The opportunity to host a Broadway-level show is one that the Historic Desoto Theatre Foundation has been working towards for many years.
O.C. Lam first sought to bring the stars to Rome in the 1920s—the era of the silver screen. With the newly-revolutionized talkie films sweeping the States, he leapt at the opportunity to create the first talkie theater of the South. He called it The Desoto: a sprawling, art-deco-style palace among the likes of the New York Roxy.
Since its establishment in 1929, The Desoto has been a haven for artistic innovation, a testament to the creativity of O.C. Lam and his fellow Romans.
The Rome Little Theatre troupe purchased The Desoto in 1982 and added its current stage. It was later sold to the Historic Desoto
Theatre Foundation, who have built upon the visions of both Lam and the RLT troupe to create a space for all performing arts.
Under their care, The Desoto has not only been revived but revitalized. They have invested over a million dollars in improving The Desoto on both practical and aesthetic fronts.
They’ve assured the longevity of the space by building new retaining walls, replacing decaying wood, and conducting an electrical overhaul (note from Michelle Picon: “not an easy task in a plaster building!”). Beyond construction, they’ve also revamped The Desoto’s original style, bringing back the glamorous art deco decor.
Their efforts have made The Desoto a place to remember, and one where they are proud to preserve Rome’s history and celebrate its progression with productions like Christmas in Killarney. The Desoto’s Development Director Michelle Picon says, “We are small and our facilities and technology are limited, but the improvements that we have made in recent years allowed us to bring this elaborate production.”
They haven’t made this journey alone, though: the Rome Little Theatre troupe, Seven Hills Fellowship, and the Rome International Film Festival have all helped bring The Desoto into the modern day through investments and performances.
The HDTF embraces Rome’s sense of community wholeheartedly, with the help of their collaborators and sponsors. Lending additional support to their production of Christmas in Killarney are their sponsors Kerry Group and Magical Travel and Events.
According to Michal Zelenak, the Plant Controller of Kerry’s Rome division, “70% of the food you eat, in some form, has ingredients that come from Kerry.”
Kerry produces ingredients for a multitude of food companies, spanning from Lays’s and Gatorade’s flavors and nutritions to McDonald’s coatings and breadcrumbs. Among 150 manufacturing facilities, Kerry’s Rome division is one of their largest.
“Every single day, Kerry in Rome produces 1.5 million pounds of product,” says Michal.
Kerry’s home base is in County Kerry, Ireland. Naturally, their Rome division was “a great partner for our “Irish Christmas Celebration” musical,” says Michelle Picon.
Should anyone want to see an Irish Christmas for themselves after seeing the show, Magical Travel and Events is ready to help you get there.
Magical Travel and Events makes “travel easy, worry-free, and FUN.” With great suppliers and better deals, their travel agents use their expertise to help everyone plan their perfect trip.
“We can’t arrange for perfect weather, but you will know that your vacation or honeymoon has been carefully planned by a local travel professional that cares about your experience.”
Behind every Christmas celebration is a community coming together to inspire joy.
This season’s production of Christmas in Killarney not only marks Rome’s progress but its continued sense of togetherness. As they continue shaping Rome—creating and innovating and building anew—support each other along the way.
For more information about The Desoto, visit their website: https://www.thedesoto.org/
