Page 12 - Our Wexford

People Profile: Wexford Ambassador

MICHAEL LONDRA

Emmy®-nominated, Irish singer- my mother was born and reared in The shopping and restaurants dotted
songwriter Michael Londra is Maudlintown, Wexford. My whole along our Main Street are second to
from the opera capital of Ireland. childhood was spent in the heart of none. I am bringing a tour of North
He decided in his early 30s to the town itself. Even though I live Americans and Australians this year
follow his heart and pursue a in the USA, I am deeply connected and I know they will be blown away
professional singing career. His to the town and can’t stay away for by the place.”
leap of faith was rewarded when longer than a few months. Michael is a proud Wexford
he soon became a leading man “Wexford was the ideal town to Ambassador, commenting on this
in musical theatre in Dublin, grow up in, as a singer. The heart official role as such, “I always saw
playing many roles. US director of the town for me, was the Theatre myself as an ambassador for the
and choreographer Larry Fuller Royal. It is where I learned about town. Not out of responsibility
asked Michael to play Bobby music and performing. I loved as a but out of a genuine love and
Kennedy in the world premier of kid that I lived by the sea and the appreciation for the place. When
JFK where he was noticed by the maritime influences. My earliest I was approached I honestly just
producers of Riverdance.
memory is listening to seagulls thought that it was a natural fit.
He was offered the role of lead first thing in the morning. I have “I talk about the town and county
singer in the US National Tour probably more romantic impressions at every show I do. Whenever a
which included performances at of my childhood, living so far away, newspaper does a story or I do a TV
Radio City Music Hall and the but to me it was fairly idyllic. The or radio interview, I make Wexford
MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In town itself and the people living a part of the conversation. It is
March 2000, Michael was again in it have always been open to the part of my identity. Internationally
offered the position of lead singer in world outside so I remember seeing we have lost out to other parts of
the new production of Riverdance foreigners come especially for the Ireland but now I feel like we are
on Broadway, taking the role Festival Opera and I think it gave part of the conversation and people
from acclaimed Irish singer Brian me wanderlust.” are coming to visit. I have no place
Kennedy. This was the platform in Irish media at home but I get a
from which Michael’s recording and fair amount of attention in other
producing career began. FOR ME, THERE IS countries. Whenever you read or
Michael’s first album Celt was NOWHERE LIKE hear about Michael Londra, you
produced by the world renowned will also hear about Wexford. It’s a
Steve Skinner who co-produced the WEXFORD. IT HAS A given.”
Grammy nominated soundtrack QUALITY THAT VERY Michael is indeed partnering his
of RENT. The album was released love of Wexford with his new
in 15 countries worldwide selling FEW TOWNS HOLD. venture as a theatre producer, with
particularly well in Korea where it Venuworks Theatricals. “Venuworks
reached No 1 in the World Music is a large US based company,
Charts. He appears with Pavarotti, Michael thinks that Wexford has managing arenas, theatres and
Bocelli, Il Divo, Sarah Brightman discovered its strengths over the conference centres across the US.
and Kathryn Jenkins on the years and built on them. “The The CEO and I have partnered to
Universal Records Asia 2009 release cultural spine of the town has been produce shows for Broadway and
Arias : Ancora. realised with the crown of the national touring. Our first project
National Opera House in the heart
His recording of Danny Boy was is a new musical, written by my
described by The Irish Emigrant of it all. lifelong pal Eoin Colfer and another
in New York as “One of the best “For me, there is nowhere like Wexford based composer, Liam
recordings of Danny Boy in Wexford. It has a quality that very Bates. The show will now tour in
history”. The YouTube video of this few towns hold. Over the years, it the US and beyond. Organically, it
recording has been downloaded by has been almost a well kept secret was a great fit with facilities, talent
seven million people. but that has changed in recent years. and know-how for its premiere in
The town itself obviously has its Wexford in 2016. Broadway agents
Chatting with Michael, his love for musical charms along with a rich and tastemakers flew in to see the
Wexford is palpable. “My whole tapestry of history from Viking to show and we now have global plans
identity is built on Wexford town. Norman. A few miles away you have for it.”
While my father is a Kilkenny man,
some of the best beaches in Ireland.

12 OUR WEXFORD