Monday, April 30, 2007

Madness: Connor writes again about the Molly Maguires

We're sure it's a fine play. But two columns, five stories and a review in 10 days? All uniform in their gushing? Somewhere Iseman is rolling over in his grave. Let's recap:


April 20: If you talk to Jim Burke, producer of the new musical 'The Molly Maguires,' he'll tell you one of the lead characters is based on a real-life villain who was evil, through and through. 'I have no sympathy for him,' said Burke, whose show will debut Thursday at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. -- Mary Therese Biebel story

April 22: AMID THIS LIGHT and breezy lunch conversation accompanied by a delicate green salad and a fragrant and colorful pasta dish or two, the brightest color in the room is not on a plate. It’s Jim Burke’s face. -- Richard Connor column

April 22: Back on April 25 and 26, 1946, Wilkes-Barre native James J. Burke performed in St. Mary’s High School’s senior play “Ever Since Eve.” Now 61 years later, he returns to the area to present the new musical he proudly acts as producer for, “The Molly Maguires.” -- Jessica Grizzanti story

April 27: Before audience members enter the F.M. Kirby Center to see the opening performance of “The Molly Maguires” musical, producer and Wilkes-Barre native Jim Burke wants people to look at a special painting in the lobby. -- Meredith Ripa story

April 27: Amid the diamond-patterned lights illuminating the east corner of Public Square Thursday night, hundreds of people sauntered into the F.M. Kirby Center for the opening night of “The Molly Maguires.” -- Ron Lieback story

April 27: In the 1930s and ’40s, when stage shows toured several cities before going to Broadway, legend was “if you can make it in Wilkes-Barre, you can make it anywhere.” It’s probably been more than 60 years since local audiences have seen a Broadway-bound production. If the positive reaction given by the estimated 1,000 patrons at Thursday night’s opening of the new musical “The Molly Maguires” is any indication, Wilkes-Barre native and executive producer Jim Burke may very well have a hit on his hands. -- Walter Mitchell review

April 28: More than 60 years have passed since a young James Burke worked as an usher at the old Comerford Theater in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Now the 78-year-old Wilkes-Barre native is back in town once again putting people in their seats in what is now the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. -- Bill O'Boyle story

April 29: Well, Jim Burke did it. He produced and brought home to the F.M. Kirby Center the musical, “The Molly Maguires.” -- Richard Connor column

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amid amid amid amid amid amid

Anonymous said...

Overkill. Connor must have a financial stake in the play.

Anonymous said...

Dude. I think Iseman is still alive. Maybe he's shaking his head.

Anonymous said...

NEPA -- Thank you. One more word about this play in the TL and someone is going to go postal. Complete overkill. Is Burke an unnamed TL investor?

Anonymous said...

Iseman never would have complained if he thought it might hurt him. He was afraid of his own shadow and was the ultimate company man.

Anonymous said...

Did Walzer's bidding, he did. Mooch mooch mooch. Kiss kiss kiss.

Anonymous said...

for the love of God, make him stop

Anonymous said...

But why did the CV totally ignore this play?

Anonymous said...

They did write about it, as did the Times-Trib.

I think one story is the perfect amount.

One story, a review and a column might even have been OK.

But all the TL stuff? Do reporters there have so much time they can afford to waste it on this garbage?

Anonymous said...

I wished we had done more like the TL. The show was fantastic. We should have jumped on it. We do have union roots after all. HAts off to TL.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the new TL. The watch dog is officially a lap dog, as this series of stories shows. Great play, but no play is worth this much coverage.

Anonymous said...

may 1 another mention. doesn't matter how good the darn play is, enough already. gag.

Anonymous said...

E.S. stop posting here

Anonymous said...

who is E.S.?

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable. ANOTHER molly maguire story on Tuesday. This one telling us what the TL has already told us numerous times, that Burke is looking to take the play to Broadway. At least this one wasn't on page one. Can't wait to put this one in my bird cage. ENOUGH ALREADY!

Anonymous said...

Connor, shove it up your MOlly Mcguire