Southern Boys
The 1989 Davitt College Production
The Life and Times of Jesse James
An original musical drama that brought the American frontier to life in 1989.
🤠 The Story
Southern Boys chronicled the dramatic life of Jesse James against the backdrop of the American Civil War. The narrative explored the Southern perspective, detailing how a community of well-educated, well-mannered families were driven into lives of outlawry and crime through persecution and the destruction of their way of life.
■ The Production
Staged in February 1989, this was Davitt College's fifth musical and a landmark achievement as an entirely original work devised by Michael Brett. It brought together staff, students, and past pupils for a gruelling rehearsal schedule that ultimately showcased the school's immense dedication to musical theatre.
Show Year
The college’s fifth musical, marking a milestone as its first entirely original stage production.
Leadership
Produced by Michael Brett, with musical direction by Kevin McNicholas and choreography by Bertie Dowling, Michael & Toni Devanney.
Original Work
Unlike previous shows, "Southern Boys" was a completely original script and score devised specifically for Davitt College.
Production
Davitt College Milestone
This was the fifth major production since 1982, continuing the tradition of high-quality musical entertainment.
Musical Numbers
The complete original score and musical numbers from the 1989 production of Southern Boys.
Act I & Act II
Story to tell
Amy
Dixie Hold on
Drifter
Join Around the Flag
Matthew
White Trash
Caleb
The last dance and Kentucky Race Horse
Matthew & Polly
Ride of the Redlegs
Dr. Samuel, Jesse, Federal Officer, Mrs. Samuel
Quantrills Guerillas
Jesse
Southern Boys
Caleb
Six Gun Shooting
Frank
Union Mare and Confederate Gray
Drifter
No one could believe a Summer could be so cold
Matthew
Bring up the 12 pounders
Soldier Chorus
They Laid waste our land
Jim Younger & Drifter
The Southlands Bleeding
Chorus
Bad Man
Matthew
Have you heard the news
Jim Younger
Heaven Ain’t Ready For You Yet
Zelda
Act III
Help Him Jesus
Preacher
The old Clay County
Coleman Younger & Jesse
Riding with Jesse James
Jim Younger
Hunt them Down
Chorus
Wish we were back in Missouri
Zelda
Northfield; The Plan
Jesse
Northfield; The Disaster
The Drifter
High Walls
Jesse
The Death of Me
Frank & Jesse
The Plot
Sheriff Timberlake, Bob Ford, Charley Ford
One More Shot
Jesse
Jesse James Archive
Highlights from the historical archive of the 1989 Davitt College production.
Principal Cast Members
Cast & Boys Chorus
Derek, Connie & Johnnie (Musicians)
The Cast
The Girls Chorus
Choreographers
Kevin McNicholas (MD)
Michael Brett (Producer)
The Production Team
Michael Brett
Josephine Miller
Kevin McNicholas
K. McNicholas, C. Cullen, D. McGowan, J. Fadian, M. Baynes
Bertie Dowling, Michael & Toni Devanney
Tommy O'Malley
Liam Butler
Reg Smyth
Bonnie Burke & Marian Kilcoyne
Ger King
Frankie McDonald
Mary Lenehan & Terry Coleman
Administration & Support
P. Flynn
P. Gibbons
Patsy Noone
Ioseph McGowan
The Cast
Meet the talented student cast who brought the story of Jesse James to the Davitt College stage in 1989.
Seamus Lunn
Timothy Ryan
Alan King
Alison Ruane
Margaret Mitchell
Philip O'Reilly
Ger Heneghan
June Moran
Sharon Feeney
Sean Mulroy
Daniel O'Leary
Luke Heneghan
Gary Walsh
John Loftus
Joe Moran
Sean Mulroy
John Loftus, Geoffrey Kearns, Kieran Naughton, Michael Nolan, David Noone, Gary Walsh, Luke Heneghan, Daniel O'Leary, Timothy Ryan, Seamus Lunn, Alan King
Clare Carney, Carmel Connor, Debra Conroy, Geraldine Corcoran, Monica Elliot, Sharon Feeney, Susan Heneghan, Elaine Horan, Mairead Horkan, Paula Joyce, Sharon Joyce, Niamh Kennedy, Alison Malanaphy, Katrina Mannion, Margaret Mitchell, June Moran, Sharon Murray, Alison Ruane, Michelle Short
Special Thanks
School Leadership
Acting Principal Patsy Noone for steadfast support and encouragement, and Patsy Gibbons for his organizational skills.
Creative Team
Reg Smyth (Art Director), Bonnie Bourke & Marian Kilcoyne (Costumes), Peadar Flynn (Publicity), Tommy O'Malley, and Peter Casby (Additional Research).
Technical Crew
Liam Butler (Stage), Ger King (Make-up), Frankie McDonald (Sound), Mary Lenehan (Lights), and Terry Coleman (Sound & Light).
Community & Alumni
Bertie Dowling, Michael & Toni Devanney (Choreography), and Kiltimagh Town Hall Theatre for loaning their lighting equipment.
