(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- On Monday, May 5, 2025, the Holmdel Theatre Company presents a reading of Whiskey Neat by Paul Edward Milord and directed By Betsey Manzoni. The event is open to the public and begins at 7:00pm. There is a $5 suggested donation. Reservations are not necessary.
Set in the back room of an illegal high-end gambling establishment in Chicago, 1949, “Whiskey Neat” revolves around the lives of an all-Irish gang, headed by Jack Kilrain, but led by his formidable sister, Beverly. Roy McCluskey and Ed Gorham, two of Beverly’s muscle, wait for action that never seems to come. Numbers guy Harry Delaney delivers stability and wisdom to the group.
As the night unfolds, the characters navigate their personal ambitions and relationships against the backdrop of organized crime. Beverly is particularly angry and frustrated at her nephew, Mike Kilrain, who has recently joined the family business. Mike’s youthful bravado and desire to prove himself lead him into conflict, especially with the volatile Izzi Macklin, who represents the darker side of their operations. Mike continues causing issues by chasing an attractive cocktail waitress, Trudy Sullivan, who wants nothing to do with him.
Tensions rise when Mike’s impulsive actions lead to a confrontation. Whiskey Neat is a story of loyalty, betrayal and the quest for identity within a world governed by violence and power dynamics. Ultimately, they are all forced to confront their own choices and the consequences of their lives in the criminal underworld.
The cast includes Joe Lozito (Harry Delaney), Karen Thornton (Beverly Kilrain), Dale Monroe Jr. (Ed Gorham), Justin Montanaro (Roy McCluskey), Brian Madden (Mike Kilrain), Maria Aromando (Trudy Sullivan), and Mike Veasey (Izzi Macklin).
Whiskey Neat is a gripping exploration of ambition, familial ties, and the moral complexities of life in organized crime, punctuated by sharp dialogue and moments of dark humor. In the world of the Kilrains, blood is thicker than whiskey, and more dangerous...
Holmdel Theatre Company is located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel, New Jersey.
