New Irish American Musical - first look here is Bucks County

Black Diamond, is a powerful new musical about the plight of Irish immigrants in PA coal country during and after the civil war, who face rampant discrimination, poverty and lethal working conditions in pursuit of the American Dream.

This first staged reading/singing features local actors including several CBSD graduates. This free performance will feature live music and will be followed by a Q & A session with the writers, actors and director.

The musical explores the rapid industrial growth of the era—where corporate profit frequently came at the expense of human lives—and the questionable legal proceedings that ultimately led to hanging of several miners accused of being Molly Maguires.

“The struggles faced by Irish Immigrants in the 1860s and 1870s may seem distant, but many of the issues they confronted then remain relevant today,” says director Claudine Piechotta, “Their story reminds us that the pursuit of dignity, fairness and opportunity has always been a struggle for immigrants in America.”

While the history belongs to the coal regions of Pennsylvania, the development of Black Diamond belongs to Bucks County and a decades-long friendship between librettist Tom Feledick and composer Bill Monaghan. Graduates of Archbishop Wood, this project started in 2005 and accelerated during Covid. One of their classmates, Claudine Quigley Piechotta, the director of CB West’s Harlequin club joined the project in 2025 to help workshop the musical to the next level.

“As Irish Americans, both Tom and I felt an immediate connection to the subject matter,” Monaghan notes, “and to collaborate with Claudine on a project that carries such personal and artistic significance is just plain cool.” “We wanted to honor part of our collective heritage and offer a new take on an underrepresented story” says Feledick.

The staged reading of this new musical will be performed by local actors and live musicians. Music includes various eclectic styles ranging from traditional Irish folk and pop rock as well as Celtic, classical American stage and Afro Celt influences.

Because so many families across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware counties share genealogical ties to the miners, the creators expect the musical to strike a deeply personal chord with local audiences.

Seating is limited for this exclusive first look. A full-scale theatrical production and a complete cast album are slated for future development. For reservations and/or more information, please contact inspiringthespians@gmail.com