Chad Kimball Joins Finian's Rainbow in June; Kevin Kern, Too

By Andrew Gans
13 May 2004

Chad Kimball
Chad Kimball

The hit Irish Repertory Theatre's concert version of Finian's Rainbow will welcome two new players in June.

Chad Kimball, who recently ended a run as Danny in the Paper Mill's production of Baby, will replace Malcolm Gets as the randy leprechaun June 1. A spokesperson for the production confirmed that Gets will play his final performance May 30. Kevin Kern will also join the company June 8 as Woody; he replaces Max von Essen, who leaves the show June 6.

The company currently features Kerry O'Malley, Jonathan Freeman, David Staller, Mark Aldrich, Jonathan Hadley, Eric Jackson, Jayne Lynch, Kimberly Dawn Neumann, John Sloman, Joacquin Stevens and Terri White.

Beginning June 1, Finian's Rainbow will play a new schedule. The classic Yip Harburg-Fred Saidy-Burton Lane musical will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM with matinees on Wednesdays at 2 PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 PM.

Chad Kimball, who memorably portrayed the cow Milky White in the revival of Into the Woods, also appeared on Broadway in Frank Wildhorn's The Civil War as well as that show's national tour. His other theatrical credits include productions of Chess, Godspell, Sweeney Todd, Equus, The Winter's Tale and Three Sisters. The actor-singer is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory.

Kevin Kern made his Broadway debut in Les Misérables. He appeared in the Signature Theatre's production of The Rhythm Club; his regional credits also include performances at the Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus and the Virginia Opera.

Tickets for Finian's Rainbow are $40-$45. The Irish Rep is located at 132 W. 22nd Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenue).

For more information, call (212) 727-2737 visit www.irishrep.org.