The cast and crew of award-winning Claremorris Musical Society (CMS ) certainly have a lot to sing about right now!
After a break from the stage of over two years due to Covid, CMS returned with a bang, presenting its highly acclaimed fifteenth production, Sister Act, in Claremorris Town Hall Theatre at the end of May.
So successful was this production that CMS is absolutely delighted to have secured three national nominations in the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS ) Award Ceremony, which takes place in The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, on June 18. This event will see the best of Irish musical theatre receive awards over a wide range of categories at a glittering ceremony.
Nominations were announced on June 5 and CMS was delighted to have three nominees included for this highly prestigious event – the pinnacle of the Irish musical theatre calendar each year.
Nominations were secured by Joff Manning for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as ‘Sweaty Eddie’, Vivienne Lee – Best Actress in A Supporting Role as ‘Mother Superior’, and Marilyn Bane – Best Female Singer for ‘Deloris Van Cartier’.
All three nominees have many years of experience on stage and completed a line-up of extremely talented principal and chorus members, including Nicole Scott, Suzanne Garvey, Maria McNulty as Sisters Mary Robert, Mary Patrick and Mary Lazarus, Ciaran Kiely as Monsignor O’Hara, David Alexander as Curtis, and his sidekicks Gearóid Herraghty and Gerard Scott as TJ and Pablo.
CMS stated: "The society wanted to come back with a lively, upbeat, heartwarming show and this one certainly ticked all the boxes with all four shows being sold out. The feedback from the audience has been fantastic and the cast couldn’t have asked for a better crowd each night. Without a doubt, this show had the feelgood factor that people are craving and the audiences simply lapped it up!
"With over 50 people involved in this production, the cast and crew were delighted to take to the stage after such a long gap. The high standard was thanks to the hard work and dedication of this great society which welcomed many new members this year."
The members of the hardworking and highly experienced production team - Donna Ruane (Director ), Deirdre Lee (Musical Director ) and Claudia O’Sullivan (Choreographer ) were delighted with the high standard exhibited each night and the huge commitment given by each and every cast member throughout the rehearsal period.
CMS founder June Allison Keane said: "It was fantastic to be back doing what we love and hearing the cheers of the audience each night! Food for the soul! We are so proud of our three nominees and wish them the very best of luck in Killarney!"
