WILLIAMSBURG — Regan McDermott and Jesse Bush, a local Williamsburg couple, are on the road this December bringing the joy of the holiday season nationwide as part of the touring cast of Christmas in Killarney.
McDermott and Bush met while performing in Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens. McDermott was cast as an Irish dancer, while Bush is a guitarist in the show.
In Christmas in Killarney, audience members are transported to the Village of Killarney, Ireland, for an evening of Irish tradition and popular Christmas songs. The show features Irish dancers, musicians, and showcases how some of the most treasured holiday traditions were started.
McDermott is making her touring debut in the show.
“I’ve never done a tour, let alone one with my friends and fiancé! This whole process has truly been a dream, this cast is so kind and I can’t thank our directors, choreographers and production team enough,” McDermott said.
After rehearsing for weeks, opening night took place in late November in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
“The rehearsal process for this show was so exciting! There were times when I thought I wasn’t going to get it all done and be ready, but we did it! Opening night was amazing and full of love, support and excitement,” McDermott shared.
McDermott began Irish dance at the age of five and has been competing for 14 years. She began her professional career six years ago and hopes to inspire the next generation of Irish dancers during the tour.
“Irish dance is a very unique sport and art form, and I’m very grateful to be able to perform it in a truly wonderful show like this one! When you’re having genuine fun, it really shows onstage and I hope the audience can see how much we all truly love what we do! I started Irish dance when I was five after seeing a show like this one, so I can only hope to inspire more audience members, no matter your age, to get up and start dancing,” McDermott said.
The show will make its only stop in Virginia on Dec. 21 in Wytheville. To learn more about the show, visit christmasinkillarney.net.