This December marks the 15th anniversary of The Keegan Theatre’s annual holiday production, An Irish Carol. Fifteen years ago, Founding Artistic Director Mark A. Rhea was searching for a show that would fit a tight holiday time slot while offering something fresh amid the familiar rotation of seasonal classics. Matthew J. Keenan, an actor at Keegan who became its resident scenic designer in 2015 (and designed the set of An Irish Carol), took up the challenge, traveling to Ireland and returning to Washington, DC, a few months later with An Irish Carol.
The play reimagines Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (currently in production at countless theaters across the DMV) by setting it in a Dublin pub on Christmas Eve. Scrooge becomes David, the curmudgeonly owner of a quaint, eclectically decorated Irish bar. The cast of eight includes David’s brother Michael; his barkeep Bartek (the only non-Irish character, a Polish immigrant); bar regulars Frank and Jim; an old friend, Richard; and former employee Simon and his fiancée, Anna.
Among this talented ensemble, two actors have appeared in the production every winter since its inception in 2011: Kevin Adams as David and Timothy H. Lynch as Frank. Over its 15-year run, the show has seen modest changes, new set elements, snow machines, and live music, but its heart has remained the same, anchored by these two longtime performers.
I sat down with Kevin and Tim to discuss the legacy of An Irish Carol and the importance of tradition at a theater like Keegan. Next year, Keegan will celebrate its 30th anniversary, making this year’s 15-year milestone for An Irish Carol particularly impressive for a theater just twice that age.
Both actors have been part of the company since its earliest days. Tim joined Keegan in 1999 as an actor in The Field; later that year, Kevin appeared in Dancing at Lughnasa. The two first met a year earlier in a production of Moby Dick – Rehearsed at the now-defunct American Century Theater. Nearly 29 years later — and after 15 years performing side by side in An Irish Carol — they are not only collaborators, but close friends.
When asked about their favorite moments in the show, both actors pointed not to their own scenes, but to something the other does. Tim’s favorite comes near the end of the play, during a quiet exchange between David and Bartek. “It’s perfect,” Tim said. “It’s so compassionate — quiet joy — and I just think, I love that guy.” Kevin, meanwhile, cited Frank’s early entrance into the bar: “His entrance is killer.”
ABOVE: ‘An Irish Carol’ in 2025. Kevin Adams (at table) and Timothy Hayes Lynch (at bar) with Brenna Horner (standing at left), Joe Baker (standing at center), and Drew Sharpe (behind bar). Photo by Cameron Whitman.
I asked what they love most about Keegan, and Kevin didn’t hesitate. “Well, they love us!” After nearly three decades working with the company, the sense of community and consistency is rare. “We’re hooked into this theater big time,” he added. Tim echoed the sentiment: “I’ve done other shows at other places, but for me, at Keegan, it’s coming home every time I do a show there.”
Is there a higher compliment for a mid-size, community-driven theater than that it feels like home? Fittingly, Keegan is literally surrounded by homes. Located in Dupont Circle on quiet, residential Church Street, the brick-and-glass building is framed by large trees. Inside is the intimate theater where An Irish Carol returns each December — this year running from December 11 to 28.
Reflecting on the importance of An Irish Carol in their lives, Tim shared, “I’m morose when we end the run, and then I look forward to it all year.” That sense of tradition is central to Keegan’s identity, giving audiences something to return to annually and local artists something to anticipate.
In addition to Kevin and Tim, Mike Kozemchak and Mick Tinder have appeared in the production for nearly all 15 years. Other cast members have returned multiple times (Matt J. Bannister, Joe Baker, Theo Hadjimichael), with newer faces joining the ensemble as Bartek (Drew Sharpe) and Anna (Brenna Horner).
A brisk 90-minute production, An Irish Carol leaves audiences rollicking with laughter while showcasing what Keegan does best: camaraderie, connection, and cheers.
If you have the chance to see An Irish Carol — it’s selling out quickly — keep your eyes and ears open for the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. As Tim and Kevin shared, they’re woven into Keenan’s script. You’ll find them if you look closely enough.
An Irish Carol plays through December 28, 2025, at The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St NW, Washington, DC. Purchase tickets ($70 for general admission; $60 for students, adults under 25, and seniors) may be purchased online, by phone at 202-265-3767, or in person at the Keegan Theatre Box Office, which opens on the day of the show one hour prior to the performance. All ticket sales include a $5 service charge.
Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
Cast and production team credits and bios are here (scroll down).
SEE ALSO:
The Keegan Theatre’s beloved ‘An Irish Carol’ returns renewed (review by Victoria Sosa, December 16, 2025)
