It’s not just a performance; it’s an experience of vibrance and uplifting entertainment, created in our community for our community and beyond, with thanks to the annual zest and passion for all things musical by our very own Killarney Musical Society.

Scheduled for the INEC March 11 to 12, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the lead role of Eva Perón in Evita requires a unique blend of vocal, emotional, and physical qualities to bring this iconic character to life. Scoring the leading role of this distinguished character, whose combination of powerful vocals, acting skills, and magnetic stage presence, AIMS award winner Sweet Charity herself - Lily MacMonagle Shannon returns, in the form of Eva Perón.

Oh my goodness, were you thrilled with the role Lily?

I was last in the line-up of 12 Marie, where each person was as good, if not better than the next. Everyone deserved the part! I think it may have been my acting that swayed it in the end because some of those high notes I thought were impossible, that is until my work commenced with the very talented musical director, Jimmy Brockie. Sure I'm thrilled, of course I am. I'm doing what I love most in the world.
My family have a lengthy connection with Killarney Musical Society as my uncle Pat McGann owns Theatrical Costume Hire located in Limerick and has supplied KMS with costumes for years now, including this year for Evita which makes it extra special and nostalgic. I remember it being an all-girls show with my sisters Annie and Sally and our cousins, when we visited Limerick, dressing up and performing for our parents. I also remember being unbelievably jealous of my sister Sally when she was the first one of us to actually take part in a real live show, The Music Man with KMS at the Áras Pádraig.
AIMS (Association of Irish Musical Societies) has also been in my blood since an early age. Photographing at AIMS was one of my Dad’s (Don MacMonagle) biggest jobs. I have great memories of my sisters and I sleeping under a table at the Brandon Hotel as Dad printed the photos and my Mum, Mary Susan, returned to the ballroom to sell them. When we were old enough to accompany Dad, without sleeping under tables, we accompanied as sales personnel. One of the best moments of my life was when it turned full circle, and Dad was photographing me in 2018, winning 'Best Actress' in my leading role in Sweet Charity. It turned out to be the best year of my life, as one month later, I married the love of my life Liam Shannon and we found out we were pregnant with our first boy Moss that September. Life couldn't have been better.

It looks like your path was very much paved in a musical direction from the get-go Lily. Owning your own performing arts school and your additional business as a wedding vocalist/musician, what advice would you give to someone with a similar love for performance?

I had a varied path. My parents wanted me to be a primary school teacher but I was having none of it. I began a four-year stint at Liberties College Performance Course, Bull Alley Theatre Training, Dublin before heading to Australia for a year. Sally, my sister was getting married so I came home and worked in the INEC for a year or so. Still, soon the city lights were calling me back to Dublin where I worked in Verve Marketing before landing the job of my dreams with Windmill Lane Productions, where I was fortunate enough to meet Saoirse Ronan and many other TV presenters and learn the professionalism of the arts from performance to post-production. I worked in many Dublin stage schools with my friend from college, Rob Murphy but I soon gave up the dream of being an actress/singer to move to Cork, to be with Liam Shannon whom I adored. What could a girl do? I moved into the role of Sales with NRG Fitness and Liam and I spent 3 years in Cork before returning home to Killarney where I gained great experience in business working with the AIB. Covid was soon on our doorstep and I found myself having lengthy chats with my college buddy Rob, who finally convinced me to open my own stage school. Soon after The Macademy was born in 2021, and I've never looked back. Much like KMS, at the Macademy I am supported by an amazing team and the best students any teacher could ask for! At the moment, we are preparing for our show ‘Macadamy Rock High’ which will take place in May, but in the meantime, we are all looking forward to joining up with the Art House to take part in the St Patrick's Day parade.

Is there a secret to getting into the characters you play to deliver the best possible performance?

I want the audience to believe that I am Evita, leaving Lily at the door. Despite Eva’s larger-than-life status, the character just has to be relatable. This requires portraying Eva’s inner conflicts and vulnerabilities and connecting with the audience on an emotional level. Some life experiences have funnily enough helped with the role. Liam and I lost baby Louis at 28 weeks. He sometimes comes to the surface of my thoughts when portraying the sadness and tragedies in Evita and in turn helps me with the courage and resilience to keep going as I did with the Macademy a few days after he passed.

I'm not quite sure how you fit it all in Lily with two businesses, two children Moss and Penny, a house to run and the leading role in Evita.

No more than yourself or any working mother Marie. Liam and I are a tag team. We make it work. Lucky for me as things are gearing up with KMS, the months of January/February are quieter with weddings and we are blessed with two fantastic Nana Marys, on both sides. I thought Sweet Charity was a big undertaking but Evita is huge, and a lot more challenging and demanding vocally as a rock opera. There are five main characters but they are bound with the support of an unbelievably outstanding chorus. Wait until you see. It's going to be amazing. Emotional but amazing. My goal is that the performance of Evita will linger and stay with you, long after the curtain falls.