Bedell Hall will host 'Irish Christmas'

Experience a show hailing from the heart of Ireland with "An Irish Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

This popular show features just about everything, including dancing through the generations over brooms and on half doors, around butter churns and shoemakers, into the world of mythology and out again. Singing spins itself out of the mists and into familiar sounds of "Silent Night," "Little Drummer Boy" and "Carol of the Bells."

Music of pipes, flutes, fiddles, button accordion, bodhrans and drums of Irish origins are just the beginning of this Irish night.

Concertgoers will journey to Bethlehem with "Little Drummer Boy," celebrate the tradition of butter making, chase the wren on St. Stephen's Day, draw down the half door for spectacular dance, enjoy music-making, singing of Christmas carols and storytelling.

"I am always so impressed with the international companies we bring to Cape Girardeau, and this one should be no exception. I can't imagine how wonderful it's going to be to hear so many Christmas favorites performed from an Irish perspective.

"The cast reads like a who's who of Irish artists. Merge that with the beauty of Christmas music and you have a truly breathtaking evening of entertainment," said Bob Cerchio, assistant director of Southeast's Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts.

A team of Irish traditional musicians will perform with dancers from the Kerry Dance Troupe, a voice squad and Irish actor Sheelagh Cullen. Special guests this year are Kevin Horton of "Riverdance" and "Magic of the Dance" stars Ciaran Maguire and Collette Dunne.

"An Irish Christmas" has been featured on PBS.

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus box office in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, by calling 651-2265, or by going online at rivercampusevents.com.