Celtic Woman — a reason to ‘Believe’

Fans know her as an incarnation of the beauty and music of a mist-enshrouded Ireland passed down for generations. That image leaps to life on stage in a romantic and evocative show that urges everyone to “Believe.” This week, Celtic Woman’s latest North American tour comes to Fairfax and Baltimore, promising heartfelt joy to all who truly do believe.

When producer/composer David Downs conceived the concept of three beautiful Irish vocalists and one stunning virtuoso female fiddler moving about the stage garbed in gorgeous flowing gowns and backed by a band performing traditional Irish tunes and pop numbers, the resulting multi-media program exploded into a worldwide phenomenon.

The artists are carefully chosen to reflect the charm and traditions of the mystical Celtic past. Their followers know each by name and every aspect of their individual careers.

This year, Dublin native Susan McFadden joins the all-female ensemble, replacing founding member Lisa Kelly, who is expecting her fourth child. McFadden took over her duties at the tour’s opening show in Nashville early in February, eager to convey the radiant glow of her heritage to the packed theater audiences. Like Chloe Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Mairead Nesbitt, she is Celtic Woman personified.

“I’ve known some of the girls many years,” she said. “Chloe and I attended the same stage school as children and her mother played Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie,’ one of my first professional roles at the Olympia Theater in Dublin. I’ve been living in London a number of years and just finished playing the lead in ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ on the West End when I received a call asking if I’d be interested in joining Celtic Woman. I was ecstatic to be offered a wonderful job I wasn’t expecting, so it seemed an opportunity to move into something home grown.”

McFadden has been performing her entire life. Like most Irish families, hers spent each evening singing at family and neighborhood parties. Although her parents were not in the theater, her mother sent her to the Billie Barrie Stage School during a childhood that also kept her occupied as a Girl Guide and horseback rider. Her brother caught the theater bug as well and is now a singer/songwriter.

She continued studying and performing in theater and on television throughout Ireland until she toured the United States at 18, singing and performing Irish dances with Irish entertainers before heading for London.

“I’m thrilled to travel in the United States,” she said. “I live in London, so coming here is a shock to the system because it’s like being back home in Ireland. I love to chat with people on the street, but folks in London aren’t friendly. Here everyone wishes you a happy day. I’m looking forward to traveling to the West Coast, especially L.A. and Las Vegas. Then we’ll go on to Germany, Austria, Holland and other places in Europe. I love all the songs in the show, the big numbers and those sung in close harmony, but my favorite is ‘Johnny Boy.’ It reminds me of home.”