The Producers programme.

Leixlip Musical and Variety Group (LMVG) presents The Producers. April 2024.

Credits.

A word from our Committee.

A history of The Producers.

Musical numbers.

Production team.

Cast.

AIMS – the Association of Irish Musical Societies.

Thank you.

Credits.

The Producers. A Mel Brooks Musical.

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.
Music and lyrics by Mel Brooks.
Original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.
By special arrangement with Studio Canal.
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk.
Proudly presented by Leixlip Musical and Variety Group.
In association with AIMS. The Association of Irish Musical Societies.

A word from our Committee.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you – on behalf of the LMVG Committee – to our production of The Producers, a Mel Brooks Musical. We are thrilled to present this hilarious show for the very first time in Leixlip, and hope you enjoy every moment of it.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the entire production team for their tireless efforts, energy and dedication to making this production a success. Their hard work has paid off, and we have been dazzled by the results.

We also want to thank the cast and crew who have clocked up many hours of rehearsals to bring this production to life. Without their talent and passion, this production would not be possible. We were very lucky, and very proud to welcome many new members to the production this year, and look forward to them getting on the stage, and enjoying this incredible show, with their new LMVG family.

The scale of The Producers is significant, and this production has required huge resources this year. It has only been possible with the generous support from our community. The LMVG Fundraising Subcommittee has worked extra hard this year – thank you to them, and everyone who supported the fundraisers during the year. LMVG is also indebted to our patrons, sponsors and advertisers. Their contributions have been invaluable in making this production a reality, and we are grateful for their generosity.

Finally, we want to thank you – our loyal audiences – for your continued support of LMVG, and your shared enthusiasm and love for musical theatre, right here in Leixlip. From opening night, through to closing night, all of us at LMVG hope you enjoy… The Producers!

Sincerely, Judy Miller.

Your LMVG Committee in 2023 and 2024 is Judy Miller (Chairperson), Elaine Brunton (Vice Chairperson), Avril Doyle (Secretary), Anne Fitzpatrick (Treasurer), Lynn Brennan (PRO), Ciarán Austin, Ben Cole and Ciara Brennan.

A history of The Producers.

1967 Film.

The Producers began life as a 1967 American satirical black comedy film written and directed by Mel Brooks and starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Dick Shawn and Kenneth Mars. For the film, Brooks won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and Gene Wilder received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

The title ‘Springtime for Hitler’ was first coined by Brooks before the film’s development, as a joke during the press conference for All American in 1962. Shortly afterwards, he also decided to relate this title to a character named Leo Bloom, an homage to Leopold Bloom, protagonist of James Joyce’s Ulysses. It was reused by him years later once he had an idea about “two schnooks on Broadway who set out to produce a flop and swindle the backers”.

The inspiration was some people Brooks met during his early show business days: Benjamin Kutcher, a New York producer who financed his plays by sleeping with elderly women, became the basis for Max Bialystock, and the scheme had origins in two theatre producers who had a lavish lifestyle while making various unsuccessful plays.

Brooks wanted Samuel ‘Zero’ Mostel as Max Bialystock from the outset. When production arrived, Peter Sellers accepted an invitation to play Leo Bloom, but he never contacted again, so Brooks approached Gene Wilder, who was about to make his film debut in Bonnie and Clyde. Dustin Hoffman was originally cast as Liebkind but before shooting commenced, he got out of his commitment so he could audition for the starring role in The Graduate. Brooks then called in Kenneth Mars as Liebkind.

2001 Musical.

The Producers musical was an idea that had been suggested to Brooks for many years, but which he always rejected. It was the record and movie producer, David Geffen, who finally convinced Brooks that a stage version of the show would add to the legacy of the film, rather than detract from it.

Finally convinced, Brooks contacted book writer, Tom Meehan. They had collaborated on the films, To Be or Not to Be and Spaceballs. Brooks also invited husband and wife Mike Ockrent and Susan Stroman as Director and Choreographer. But, in 1999, Ockrent’s life was cut tragically short when he died from acute leukemia. Rehearsals for the show began in December 2000, before the opening of its out-of-town tryout in February 2001. The initial Chicago run quickly sold out.

Directed by Susan Stroman, the show arrived on Broadways St James Theatre in March 2001, where it began previews up to its official opening in April. The Producers quickly became the hottest ticket in the history of Broadway. The show dominated the awards season that year, winning a record 12 Tony Awards and running for 33 previews and 2,502 performances before closing in April 2007.

During and following its Broadway run, The Producers spawned a successful London production, two US national tours, a UK tour and many productions worldwide, including at the Hollywood Bowl (2012) with notables Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rebecca Romijn, Roger Bart and Gary Beach. Nathan Lane reprised his role as Max during the show’s first few months in The West End.

2005 Film.

The Producers was made into a musical movie in 2005. The movie… based on the musical… based on the movie… was directed by Susan Stroman and starred most of the original Broadway cast, including Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The film featured Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart and Jon Lovitz. Creature effects were provided by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Nicole Kidman was originally cast as Ulla but backed out of the project due to other commitments. A soundtrack from the 2001 original Broadway cast, as well as one from the 2005 film cast, were both released by Sony Records.

Did you know?

At the 2001 Tony Awards, The Producers won 12 out of its 15 nominations, breaking the record previously set by Hello, Dolly in 1964 for most wins in history. It became one of the few musicals to win in every category for which it was nominated. Its record for most nominations was tied in 2009 by Billy Elliot the Musical and broken in 2016 by Hamilton (16 nominations), but its record number of wins still stands, as of 2023. Hamilton is second, with 11 wins.

After the opening, The Producers broke the record for the largest single-day box office ticket sales in theatre history, taking in more than three million dollars. Then, when it was announced that Lane and Broderick would return for a limited run in 2003/2004, the show broke its own sales record with over $3.5 million in single-day ticket sales, selling out the limited-engagement immediately.

Nathan Lane was always Brooks’ first choice for Bialystock. When Lane was guest hosting on ‘The David Letterman Show’ and Brooks was a guest, he practically forced Lane to sign a contract on the spot. Broderick was tapped for the role of Leo Bloom, based on his Tony-winning performance in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.

In 2016, a short film serving as a sequel to The Producers – Trumped – was released on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’. It featured Lane and Broderick reprising their roles as Max and Leo, who have formed their own Political Consultants business, which has fallen on hard times. Bloom realises that under the right circumstances more money can be made from a losing candidate than from a winner. They choose Donald Trump as a candidate, only for him to become a political phenomenon!

Mel Brooks.

Mel Brooks (Writer, Composer & Lyricist, Producer) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, songwriter, and playwright born in 1926. He is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodies. A recipient of numerous accolades, he is one of 19 actors, producers, directors or composers to win the EGOT – which includes an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2010, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013, a British Film Institute Fellowship in 2015, a National Medal of Arts in 2016, a BAFTA Fellowship in 2017, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2024.

Brooks began his career as a comic and a writer for Sid Caesar’s variety show Your Show of Shows (1950 to 1954). With Carl Reiner, he created the comedy sketch The 2000 Year Old Man. With Buck Henry, he created the hit television comedy series Get Smart (1965 to 1970).Brooks became one of the most successful film directors of the 1970s. His films include The Producers (1967), The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), High Anxiety (1977), History of the World, Part I (1981), Spaceballs (1987), and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). He wrote and produced the Hulu series History of the World, Part II (2023).

Three of his films are included on the American Film Institute’s list of the top 100 comedy films of the past 100 years (1900–2000), all of which were ranked in the top 15: Blazing Saddles (6), The Producers (11), and Young Frankenstein (13).

Brooks was married to actress Anne Bancroft from 1964 until her death in 2005. In 2010, Brooks credited Bancroft as “the guiding force” behind his involvement in developing The Producers and Young Frankenstein for the musical theatre. He has remained single since she died, stating in 2023 that “Once you are married to Anne Bancroft, others don’t seem to be appealing”.

Thomas Meehan.

Thomas Meehan (Book) received the Tony Award for co-writing the book for The Producers in 2001 and in 2003 for co-writing the book for Hairspray. He received his first Tony Award in 1977 for writing the book of Annie, which was his first Broadway show, and has written the books for the musicals Rocky, Elf the Musical, Cry-Baby, Young Frankenstein, Chaplin, Bombay Dreams, I Remember Mama, Ain’t Broadway Grand and Annie Warbucks.

In addition, he was a long-time contributor of humor to The New Yorker, an Emmy-Award winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on a number of screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs and To Be Or Not To Be. Meehan was also a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild. He and his wife, Carolyn, lived between Nantucket and an apartment in Greenwich Village, near which, on Hudson Street, she owned and presided over the near-legendary children’s store Peanut Butter & Jane. Meehan passed away at his home in Manhattan in 2017, one week after his 88th birthday.

Musical numbers.

Act One.

Overture (Orchestra).
It’s Opening Night (Usherettes, Ensemble).
The King of Broadway (Max, Ensemble).
We Can Do It (Max, Leo).
I Wanna Be a Producer (Leo, Chorus Girls, Accountants).
We Can Do It – Reprise (Max, Leo).
I Wanna Be a Producer – Reprise (Max, Leo).
In Old Bavaria (Franz, Pigeons).
Der Gutten Tag Hop-Clop (Franz, Max, Leo).
To Be or Not To Be (Roger, Carmen).
Keep It Gay (Roger, Carmen, Max, Leo, Roger’s Team).
Keep It Gay – Conga (Roger, Carmen, Max, Leo, Roger’s Team).
When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It (Ulla).
Along Came Bialy (Max, Leo, Little Old Ladies, Ulla, Roger, Carmen, Roger’s Team, Ensemble).

Act Two.

Enr’acte (Orchestra).
That Face (Ulla, Leo).
That Face – Reprise (Leo, Max).
A Wand’ring Minstrel (Jack).
Have You Ever Heard – Interrupted (Jason).
Have You Ever Heard The German Band (Franz).
It’s Opening Night – Reprise (Usherettes).
It’s Bad Luck to say Good Luck on Op’ning Night (Carmen, Roger, Leo, Franz).
Springtime For Hitler (Roger, Ulla, Lead Stormtrooper, Ensemble).
Where Did We Go Right (Max, Leo).
Leo Goes To Rio (Ulla, Leo).
Betrayed (Max).
‘Til Him (Max, Leo, Little Old Ladies).
Prisoners Of Love (Max, Leo, Franz, Ulla, Roger, Convicts, Prisoners).
Goodbye (All).

Production team.

Director and Choreographer — Claire Tighe.
Musical Director — Dermot O’Callaghan.
Co-Choreographer — Jen Dawson.
Stage Manager — Mary Purcell.
Stage Crew — Peter Flynn, Liz Mackey, Emer Nic Chonchradha, Niamh Redmond.
Set Design — John O’Donoghue.
Set Construction — Set4Stage.
Set Artist — Eileen Fagan, Stuart Glynn.
Lights — Darren Kelleher.
Sound — Jason Fallon.
Costumes — Coordinated by Rita Tighe, Judy Miller. Assisted by the Sub Committee (Carol Byrne, Colette Conway, Bern Dawson, Orla Maher), Kevin Hynes (Stunt Grannies), Nataliya Hokera (Convicts).
Hair and Make-up — Bern Dawson.
Props — Louise Kenny, Seamus Kenny.
Front of House Manager — Carol Byrne.
Front of House Crew — Mags Quinn.
Door Crew — Bernadette Murray, Janet Shanks, Kay Coughlan.
Raffle — Colette Conway, Carmel Donnelly.
Artwork and Programme — Ciarán Austin.
Programme printing — Alan Kerrigan.
Ticketing — Gr8 Events.

Claire Tighe, Director and Choreographer.

Claire is CEO and Creative Director of TheatreworX Productions – a professional production company and stage school & academy in Leixlip, Kilcock, Dunboyne and Glasnevin. TheatreworX Productions produces professional family friendly theatre including Creepy Town (Irelands first panto-esque Halloween production which Claire pens and directs) and The Helix Panto which Claire has produced, co-written and choreographed or directed since 2008. They work with Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park) on projects including Halloween and Christmas events. Claire produced, co-wrote and directed The Adventures of Skipper & Skooter (2021) and she produced and directed a children’s movie (The Imperium Stone) and TV show (The Skipper & Skooter Show) in Tayto Park. As Creative Director for on-board entertainment for Irish Ferries, Claire devised and choreographed the cabaret Wilde Nights, and the children’s entertainment programme for 7 seasons.

Claires choreography and direction credits include: West Side Story (for Bord Gáis Energy Theatres first in-house production and where she is helping to grow Irish-produced professional Musical Theatre further); Grease (Nom Best Choreography & Best Director, AIMS 2015); Our House (Nom Best Choreography, AIMS 2011); Rock of Ages (Winner Best Choreography, AIMS 2016); Legally Blonde (Winner Best Choreography & Best¬ Overall Show, AIMS 2017); West Side Story (Winner Best Director & Best Overall Show, AIMS 2018); The Addams Family (Nom Best Director & Best Overall Show, AIMS 2021); The Wedding Singer (Nom Best Choreographer 2023); and most recently directed and choreographed Rock of Ages, for Tullamore MS. Claire directed and choreographed the new musical New Fish (Smock Alley, 2019) and continues to develop it further. Recently she choreographed and styled Declan McKenna’s new music video, Nothing Works.

All that being said, Claire’s heart remains with LMVG. She’s thrilled to have worked alongside Jen & Dermot to bring The Producers to life with this multi-talented cast and thanks the Committee most sincerely for their lifetime of trust in her.

Dermot O’Callaghan, Musical Director.

Dermot began his music training as a boy chorister of the Palestrina Choir at Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral. He later studied piano, trumpet, and voice under scholarship with Eithne Graham-White, Colm Byrne, and Philip O’Reilly at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and graduated with an Arts degree and a further Music degree from UCD, under Professor Harry White.

Dermot holds a masters degree in Arts Management and Cultural Policy. Dermot has undertaken training in Estill Voice Technique and is working on Vocology in Practice authorisation. He is currently CEO of Sing Ireland and President of the European Choral Association. He has won and been nominated as Best Musical Director at AIMS, and groups he has worked with have also received many awards and noms for Best Overall Show, Chorus, and Ensemble.

He has worked with many other musical societies and companies and his show credits include: Mack and Mabel (Draoícht), Footloose (Mill Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar, The Pirates of Penzance, Fame, Children of Eden, The Drowsy Chaperone, Once Upon a Mattress (Pavilion Theatre), Ragtime, All Shook Up (Tivoli), Seussical, Curtains, Urinetown, Oliver, Sweet Charity, The Hired Man, Me and My Girl, How to Succeed, Sister Act (The Civic Theatre), 42nd Street, Sweeney Todd (O’Reilly Theatre), Oklahoma, Zorba (Kilcock), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Urinetown, Sister Act (St Pat’s Drumcondra), Urinetown, Young Frankenstein, Michael Collins, Guys, and Dolls, 9 to 5 (Solstice, Trim), Annie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Stillorgan), The Addams Family, The Wedding Singer (Leixlip), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Bord Gais Energy Theatre), Bobby Productions Concerts (National Concert Hall). Dermot was Musical Director and Conductor for the AIMS 50th Anniversary celebratory concert ENCORE at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Dermot is delighted to be working with LMVG again and he wants to thank the hard-working Committee, creative team, extremely talented cast, and particularly Claire and Jen for everything.

Jen Dawson, Co-Choreographer.

Jennifer is a professional Dancer and Choreographer, and Head of Dance at TheatreworX Stage School and Academy. She started ballet at a young age, and after completing a Diploma in Dance at ICFE, she continued her training at London Studio Centre (BA Hons Degree in Theatre Dance) and went on to tour the UK with their Jazz Dance Company.

Jennifer is a lifelong member of LMVG, performing and choreographing for years. She was Assistant Choreographer on award winning productions of Rock of Ages (2016), Legally Blonde (2017), West Side Story (2018), and The Full Monty (2019). She has choreographed The Addams Family (2017), Beauty & the Beast (2018), Will Rock You (2019) Les Miserable (2022) for Castleknock College and The Addams Family (2023) for Maynooth Community College. She was also Choreographer for a children’s movie The Imperium Stone and live show The Adventures of Skipper & Skooter (Tayto Park, 2020). Most recently, Jennifer was Assistant Choreographer on Declan McKenna’s music video for his single Nothing Works.

Jennifer has choreographed The Helix Christmas Panto for TheatreworX Productions for the last 3 years. Theatre credits; Dance Captain/Co-Choreographer Wilde Nights Cabaret, Oscar Wilde Ship (2009-2015), Our House, The Madness Musical, Olympia Theatre, TheatreworX Productions (2012), Dance Captain/Assistant Choreographer The Helix Christmas Panto, TheatreworX Productions (2012-2019). TV credits; Dancer/backing singer The Voice of Ireland, RTE (2014), Season 2 of Penny Dreadful, Sky Atlantic (2015).

Jennifer has really enjoyed working with Claire and Dermot and of course the amazing cast on this production, and wishes everyone “Good luck on opening night!”

Cast.

Ian Tighe, as Max Bialystock.

Ian lives in, and is from Leixlip, so he is certainly no stranger to LMVG audiences. He has spent many years supporting LMVG both behind the scenes, and on stage, from an early age.

His credits include: Joe Casey in Our House (Olympia Theatre, LMVG); Simon Stride in Jekyll & Hyde (LMVG); Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar (LMVG); Chad in All Shook Up (Teachers MS, AIMS Best Singer nomination); Kinickie in Grease (LMVG); Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins (MadSoc); Lonny in Rock of Ages (LMVG); Warner in Legally Blonde the Musical (LMVG); and Jerry Lekowski in The Full Monty (LMVG). Ian starred as Bernardo in LMVGs West Side Story, which picked up the Best Overall Show award at AIMS, in 2018. He was most recently on stage with LMVG as Gomez, in The Addams Family, which earned him a Best Actor nomination at AIMS, in 2022.

Ian is also a Director and Scriptwriter, having co-written and co-directed the LMVG pantomimes for the past 13 years. He has also co-written scripts for the Olympia Pantomime, Aladdin and Jedward & Beauty and the Beast. He has also been involved with the Helix Pantomime (TheatreworX) over the years. Ian is thrilled to be taking on the role of Max in The Producers this year, and sincerely hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Seán McMahon, as Leo Bloom.

Seán trained at Bow Street Academy and is a qualified primary school teacher. He also holds a Certificate in Theatre Directing from Maynooth University.

His credits include: Lead Vocalist with the tribute band, Pop Gods; Frankie in Big Shot (Off-Broadway & Camden Fringe); Tommy O’ Neill in Are Ya Dancin, The Showband Story; Singer/Dancer in June Rodgers Christmas Show; King Cameo in the Helix Panto, Aladdin; Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, (AIMS nominated Best Comedian); Baker in Into the Woods (AIMS nominated Best Actor); Jesus in Godspell (AIMS nominated Best Actor); Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors; Joe Emmet in Michael Collins A Musical Drama (AIMS winner Best Supporting Actor); Dennis in All Shook Up (AIMS nominated Best Comedian); Mark in Rent; Tobias in Sweeney Todd; Franz in Rock of Ages (LMVG, 2016); Sweaty Eddie in Sister Act; Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar; and Paul in A Chorus Line.

Seán has directed Fiddler on the Roof and Footloose (Glencullen MDS), 12 Hour Life by Robert Scott (Teachers’ Club), Riders to the Sea by JM Synge (Teachers’ Club), Grease, Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz.

This August, Seán will reprise his role as Tommy O’Neill in Are Ya Dancin, The Showband Story at the 3Olympia Theatre. He would like to thank Claire, Dermot, Jen and Committee for bringing this hoot of a show to life!

Fionn O’Dwyer, as Franz Liebkind.

This is Fionn’s tenth production with LMVG. He has taken to the stage across pantos and musical alike – including as Dandini (Cinderella), Jack (Jack and the Beanstalk), Beast (Beauty and the Beast) and as A-rab in LMVGs award winning West Side Story (2018). He has also played Lucas in The Addams Family, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and Emmo in Our House – with UCD Musical and Drama Societies. He has appeared in the Irish cast of Romeo Castellucci’s BROS.

Fionn is thrilled to be playing Franz in one of his all-time favourite shows, and is excited for you all to enjoy the performance!

Ross Murray, as Roger Debris.

Ross has been a member of Leixlip Musical and Variety Group for longer than he cares to admit. During that time he’s been in many musicals, including: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), JCS (Pilate), Grease (Roger), The Fully Monty (Harold), West Side Story (Riff), Legally Blonde (Emmet) and The Addams Family (Mal). He has also written and directed the LMVG Panto for over 10 years with his cousin Ian. He got the chance to wear a dress as an Ugly Sister in this year’s panto Cinderella, and liked it so much, you may even see him in one again soon!

The Producers is one of Ross’ favourite musicals and previously played the role of Carmen with Teachers’ Musical Society in 2018. This time round, he’s playing the other half of the partnership and is loving every minute of rehearsals, particularly singing along with his 2 young children in the car!

Mark Keegan, as Carmen Ghia.

Mark recently returned from a long, illustrious career in theatre in London’s West End where he regularly played title roles such as Hamlet, Jean Valjean and Jesus Christ Superstar. His professional career was left in tatters when he refused to go nude for the role of Alan Strang in Equus, which subsequently went to Daniel Radcliffe. Casting agents would have nothing to do with him and he was forced to return to Ireland. Shunned by many in the profession, he was warmly welcomed by Leixlip who cared little for his previous scandal. This is Mark’s first time with Leixlip Musical and Variety Group and wishes everyone to “Break a Leg” for the show.

Marks other credits include Sister Act, The Wedding Singer, Chess, Honk, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Last year, Mark played Sidney Bernstein in Curtains the musical. Previous roles have included, Mr McQueen in Urinetown (HXT), Motel in Fiddler on the Roof (DMDS), Gerald in Me and My Girl (HXT) and Gangster #1 in The Drowsy Chaperone (DMDS).

Aoife Masterson, as Ulla.

Aoife began her training at the Leixlip Youth Theatre with Margret Kenny and continued under Niamh Byrne at Muse Academy. She was also a student at TheatreworX Stage School from the age of four and played roles in the schools yearly Showcase at the Helix Theatre DCU. Aoife graduated from the DIT Conservatory of Music in 2018 and is currently a singing and drama teacher at TheatreworX stage school. She has sung in various Masterclasses under Patricia Bardon and in venues such as the National Concert Hall Dublin, Christ Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Aoife is also a proud member of the LMVG and has featured in pantos such as Beauty and the Beast (Potts), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Cinderella (Cinderella), Peter Pan (Tinkerbell), Frozen (Elsa) and most recently, the Evil Step Mother in this years Cinderella. Aoife has also featured with LMVG in Grease (Frenchy), Legally Blonde (Pilar), West Side Story (Francesca), The Addams Family (Alice) and the Wedding Singer (Linda).
Other credits include the Irish Ferries Wilde Nights Cabaret Show, the RTÉ Ray Darcy Show (as a member of The Deltatones), The Imperium Stone film and Stage Show (TheatreworX and Tayto Park). Aoife is a cast member in the June Rodgers Christmas Cabaret show at Taylor’s Three Rock (2018-2023).

Aoife is utterly thrilled to be back performing with her LMVG family, and she hopes the audiences enjoy the show – Skål!

Ensemble.

Ben Cole (Bryan), Bert Carruthers, Brian Dalton (Lead Stormtrooper), Charlie Owens (Kevin), Cian Egan, Ciara Brennan (Usherette), Cillian Hogan (Stormtrooper Rolf, Sabu), Clíona Nic Shuibhne, Danu Nic Shuibhne, David Miller (Mr Marks, Sergeant, Judge), Dee Ní Closcaí, Elaine Brunton (Usherette), Emma Rochford, Enda Roche, (Donald, O’Houlihan), Jordan Donnelly (Stormtrooper Mel, Scott, Jason), Judy Miller (Hold-Me-Touch-Me), Katherine O’Keefe (Lick-Me-Bite-Me, Shirley), Megan Lawlor, Naya Rochford, Neasa Nic Shuibhne, Órla Guiney, Ruth Maher, Seán Duffy (Jack La Pis Dus, O’Reilly), Sean McDonagh, Stephanie Buchanan (Kiss-Me-Feel-Me).

AIMS – the Association of Irish Musical Societies.

Leixlip Musical and Variety Group is a proud member of AIMS, the Association of Irish Musical Societies, established in 1965. Its mission is to entertain, educate, support and engage through exceptional musical productions. To foster the development and promotion of musical theatre in Ireland and make it accessible to all.

It is an umbrella organisation now representing well over 10,000 people directly involved in bringing musical entertainment to their local communities. With around 130 member societies it offers a range of services including:

Adjudication and Awards Scheme.
Annual Choral Festival.
Workshops on a regional and national basis.
Residential Youth Summer School for 15 to 18 year olds.
Comprehensive Insurance Scheme.
Bursaries for talented and dedicated people seeking to train professionally in performance.
Informative website and regional and national Facebook pages promoting shows and activities.
Annual Awards Weekend — attended by around 1,000 people each June.

LMVG Awards at AIMS.

2023 — The Wedding Singer.

Adjudicator’s Special Award — Moment Of Theatre — WINNER
Best Choreography — NOMINATED
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jacqueline Brunton, Holly) — NOMINATED
Best Choreographer (Claire Tighe) — NOMINATED

2022 — The Addams Family.

Best Overall Show — Placed 3rd
Best Stage Management (Mary Purcell) — WINNER
Best Visual — WINNER
Best Director (Claire Tighe) — NOMINATED
Best Actor (Ian Tighe, as Gomez) — NOMINATED
Best Female Singer (Lauren Dooley, as Wednesday) — NOMINATED
Best Actor, Supporting (James Deegan, as Fester) — NOMINATED

2019 — The Full Monty.

Best Comedienne (Jenny McCabe, as Jeanette, Gilbert Section) — WINNER

2018 — West Side Story.

Best Overall Show (Gilbert Section) — WINNER
Best Director (Claire Tighe) — WINNER
Best Musical Director (David Hayes) — WINNER
Best Actress, Supporting (Jacqueline Brunton, as Anita) — WINNER
Best Ensemble (The Dance at the Gym) — NOMINATED

2017 — Legally Blonde the Musical.

Best Overall Show (Gilbert Section) — WINNER
Best Choreography (Claire Tighe) — WINNER
Best Comedienne (Jacqueline Brunton) — WINNER
Best Musical Director (David Hayes) — NOMINATED

2016 — Rock Of Ages.

Best Overall Show (Gilbert Section) — Placed 5th
Best Choreography (Claire Tighe) — WINNER
Best Male Singer (Kevin Fagan) — WINNER
Best Ensemble (“Here I Go Again”) — NOMINATED
Best Female Singer (Orla Jennings) — NOMINATED

2015 — Grease.

Best Overall Show (Sullivan Section) — Placed 3rd
Best Technical (Lighting, Set and Sound) — WINNER
Best Choreography (Claire Tighe) — NOMINATED
Best Director (Claire Tighe) — NOMINATED

2014 — Jesus Christ Superstar.

Best Technical (Lighting, Set and Sound) — WINNER

2011 — Our House.

Best Stage Management (Mary Purcell) — WINNER
Best Choreography (Claire Tighe) — NOMINATED
Best Overall Show — NOMINATED

2008 — Jekyll and Hyde.

Best Stage Management (Mary Purcell) — WINNER
Best Gilbert and Sullivan/Modern Opera — NOMINATED
Best Actress (Jenny McCabe) — NOMINATED
Best Visual — NOMINATED
Best Overall Show — NOMINATED

2006 — Little Shop of Horrors.

Best Comedian (Niall Dempsey) — NOMINATED

2005 — The Hired Man.

Best Director (Christine Scarry) — NOMINATED
Best Overall Show — Placed 3rd

2003 — West Side Story.

Best Musical Director (David Hayes) — WINNER
Best Male Singer (Karl Harpur) — WINNER
Spirit of AIMS Award (Leonard Tone) — WINNER
Best Actress, Supporting (Claire Tighe) — NOMINATED

2000 — Cabaret.

Best Sets — NOMINATED

1999 — Fame.

Best Choreography — NOMINATED

1995 — Jesus Christ Superstar.

Best Choreography (Maure Talbot) — NOMINATED
Best Lighting — NOMINATED

1994 — Chicago.

Best Actor, Supporting (Barry Finnegan) — NOMINATED

1992 — The Music Man.

Best Actor (Pat Dwyer) — NOMINATED

1990 — Finian’s Rainbow.

Best Actor, Supporting (Pat Dwyer) — NOMINATED

Thank you.

Leixlip Musical and Variety Group is very proud of all our loyal Patrons, Sponsors and Advertisers who continue to help us invest in new work and new talent. THANK YOU all for your wonderful support of this year’s show!

If you are interested in supporting LMVG in the future, get in touch at info@lmvg.ie.

Patrons.

Joe and Laura Bergin
Gerry and Eileen Brangan
Jim and Berni Brennan
Carmel Dunne
Kathleen Hynes
Phyllis and Tom Heffernan
Rosemary Deasy
Paul and Phylis Martin
Robbie and Gill Martin
Margaret and Chris Lundy
Liz Mackey
Caroline and Fergal Farrell
Paul and Paula Flood

Advertisers, sponsors.

Gastro 101, Leixlip
Leixlip Amenities
Leixlip Manor Hotel
Cunninghams Funeral Homes
Apache Pizza, Leixlip
Bernard Durkan TD
Courtyard Hotel, Leixlip
Catherine Murphy TD

Special thanks.

St Mary’s GAA, Leixlip
TheatreworX Productions and Stage School
Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Leixlip
Scoil Eoin Phóil, Leixlip
Leixlip GAA Handball Club
Mick Fitzpatrick and Brian Tighe

With thanks and acknowledgements for additional costume hire, to:

Triple C Costume Hire (UK)
Rebellion Film Studios (UK)
Clara Musical Society, Co Offaly

With thanks and acknowledgements for additional props, to Oyster Lane Theatre Group.