Published: November 09, 2009 08:50 am      

In the Christmas spirit

Irish entertainer will return to Arcadia Theater

Tony Kenney, one of the most respected entertainers in Ireland, will show Americans how the holidays are celebrated in the Emerald Isle.

“Christmas Time in Ireland,” the Tony Kenney Christmas show, will be presented at 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber.

Frank Cunsolo, Arcadia president and program director, said this show will be different from Kenney’s 2006 show.

“He likes to change the show year to year, so you never see the same show,” Cunsolo said. “This show is a celebration of the holidays with Irish wit, youthful dancing and Christmas songs and hymns.”

Kenney is known for putting together an extravaganza of talent, including some of the most outstanding performers in Ireland.

“He’s done it before, and I know he will do it again,” Cunsolo added.

The show’s lineup will include step dancing with the Dublin City Dancers and humor with Irish comedian Joe Cuddy.

“His humor is so quick you have to pay attention, and it’s funny without being off-color,” Cunsolo said.

“Out of all the comedians we’ve had here, I’ve never laughed as much as with him.”

Cuddy was originally known as one of Ireland’s most popular singers, but earned the title of “Ireland’s Funniest Man” during seven seasons at Jury’s Irish Cabaret and many tours of the United States.

Kenney’s show also will include the talents of his wife, Joan, and their daughter, Victoria.

Kenney began his musical career in the internationally acclaimed stage musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

He turned to the world of Irish music when he joined the cast of Jury’s Irish Cabaret in Dublin, Ireland’s longest running Irish music show.

“This is one of our biggest holiday shows at the Arcadia,” Cunsolo said. “He brings an all-star cast of multitalented, award-winning performers.

“We’ve had requests for it to return.”

On Kenney’s Christmas tour, he takes audiences on a journey to the Emerald Isle, where an Irish Christmas and family are celebrated.

“You can visualize candles in the window and being around the tree singing Christmas songs,” Cunsolo said.

“It reminds me of when my children were small and we sat around the fireplace and sang carols. It’s a warm feeling.”

Cunsolo said he tries to book a Christmas show the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year.

“It gets the audience into the Christmas spirit,” he said.

Holiday show

-- What: Tony Kenney Christmas Show.

-- Where: Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber.

-- When: 8 p.m. Nov. 28.

-- Tickets: $37, $35 and $32.

-- Information: 467-9070.