Dancing at Lughnasa
Reviewed by Julia Stier
Open Fist Theatre Company
Extended through August 31
Brian Friel’s nostalgic Dancing at Lughnasa is an exploration of memories through the eyes of the story’s narrator, Michael, as he looks back on moments from his childhood. Now playing at the Open First Theatre Company under the direction of Barbara Schofield, the play captures moments in the lives of the Mundy family in 1936 — the last year the family unit was whole.
In the town of Bellybag in County Donegal, Ireland, the five unmarried Mundy sisters live a comfortable, albeit lackluster, life. There’s the oldest and sternest sister, Kate (Martha Demson), jolly Maggie (Lane Allison), and Michael’s mother Chris (Caroline Klidonas), who brought shame to the family by having him out of wedlock. The two sisters who keep the house running are Agnes (Ann Marie Wilding) and Rose (Sandra Kate Burck), who has an unspecified mental handicap and whom Burck invests with a childlike innocence. They care for Michael (David Shofner) and Father Jack (Christopher Capiello), who has just returned from his missionary work in Uganda.
Life for the seven of them is predictable, but with the Festival of Lughnasa happening, change seems to be in the air — for better or for worse. A new wireless in the house inspires them to dance, Michael’s estranged father returns, Father Jack reveals he has been changed by his time away, and the women in the house are starting to seek something more out of life than their mundane routines.
As Maggie, Allison is the light of the family — always quick with a riddle or a dance move. Demson’s Kate is an austere woman set in her ways. As Chris, Klidonas wonderfully captures the pain that comes along with loving a flawed man. Her moments with Gerry (Scott Roberts), the father of her son, are as beautiful as they are tragic. Cappiello is an absolute joy as Father Jack. His retellings of his time in Uganda highlight his awe of their religion and culture, much to the dismay of Kate. His bright blue eyes are quick to fill with wonder as he recollects the ceremonies and sacrifices he took part in.
Dancing at Lughnasa captures the human need to connect. Michael treasures the too few moments he gets with his father. Father Jack yearns to return to the community he found in Africa. The sisters don’t always dare admit their fancies aloud, but each has a moment when the possibility of love lends them a glow. It’s a refreshingly simple play that asks its audience to contemplate their own lives, happiness, and connections.
Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave, Atwater Village; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. (dark 8/23); Sun., 4 p.m.; Mon., 8 p.m. (dark 8/19); extended through Aug. 31. https://www.openfist.org. Running time: two hours and eight minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
