Finian’s Rainbow (1983)
With Irish whimsy, melodious magic, and biting social commentary, Finian’s Rainbow tackles the American Dream and the state of civil rights in the post-World War II United States. Pursued by a vengeful leprechaun, crafty Finian McLonergan drags his daughter Sharon and a stolen crock of gold all the way from the mysterious Irish village of Glocca Morra to Missitucky U.S.A., planning to bury the gold near Fort Knox and watch it multiply. They run right into a battle between the poor sharecroppers of Rainbow Valley, led by the handsome smooth-talking Woody Mahoney, and the henchman of Senator Rawkins, a bigoted blowhard who covets the very land on which Finian needs to bury his gold. With hearts aflame and tempers running high, and lines of credit and rogue wishes running amok, it can only end in a fire, a thunderstorm… or a wedding! Featuring beloved and classic tunes such as ‘Old Devil Moon’, ‘Look to the Rainbow’, and ‘How Are Things in Glocca Morra’, this musical also explores themes of nostalgia, belonging, and home.
Director: Jack Snowdy
