Centenary of the Easter Rising commemorations marking the occasion began on Easter Eve (26 March), as President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin. This was preceded by traditional Irish song "The Parting Glass" being performed by the Island of Ireland Peace Choir and succeeded by a minute's silence. Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Acting Tánaiste Joan Burton were also present. Relatives of the dead were there too and were only permitted to lay their own wreaths when President Higgins was done. Later that day, President Higgins gave a keynote address at a ceremony in the Royal
Easter Rising (musical) concert readings of the musical, directed by Kristen Hanggi, premiered at the Public Theatre at Joe's Pub. The cast featured Colin Hanlon as Andrew, Michael Arden as John, Steven Pasquale as Caleb, and Kerry Butler as April. On January 10, 2011, David Tarlow and Christopher Sepulveda presented a workshop reading of an updated version of Easter Rising by Michael Arden, directed by Coy Middlebrook and musical directed by Jonnah Speidel, at Theatre at Boston Court in Pasadena, California. The cast featured Colin Hanlon as Andrew, Steve Kazee as Caleb, Grant Gustin as John, Ben Platt as Young Andrew, Max Sheldon