2008 Woodie Awards
Western's new production dazzles
"Dancing at Lughnasa" proves worthy of viewing
Stacy Walz
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Culture
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Currently playing at Western is the drama "Dancing at Lughnasa" (pronounced "Lou-nuh-suh"), directed by David Janoviak. The production opened Thursday, Nov. 8 to a full audience. This captivating drama about the five Mundy sisters was written by Irish playwright Brian Friel. Set in Ireland of 1936, it is the story of the sisters' relationship and household struggles.
Christina Mundy's son, Michael (portrayed by Alec Wilson), narrates the play, which consists of his somewhat idealized memories of the summer of 1936, when he was seven years old. His memories are centered around the five Mundy sisters -Kate, Margaret, Agnes, Rose and Christina. They are all unmarried and living in a house together, along with Michael and their older brother Jack (portrayed by Curtis Glaccum), who has recently returned from Africa. Kate, played by Andee Martin, is the oldest of the sisters. She is uptight, devoutly Catholic and very concerned about the family reputation. Margaret, the second oldest, portrayed by Christina Lydy. Margaret, or Maggie as her sisters call her, is the light-hearted, fun-loving sister who frequently acts as a peacemaker. The middle sister, Agnes, portrayed by McKenna Twedt. Agnes is the most compassionate and feels especially responsible for Rose, who is her partner in knitting gloves for extra money. Portrayed by Rani Lightle, Rose is the second youngest. She is mentally challenged and all her sisters feel responsible for her. Christina, the youngest, portrayed by Brooke Lawson, who doesn't quite seem to know what to do with Gerry, Michael's father (played by Evan Christopher).
Michael has vivid memories of the harvest time, which was also the time of the Celtic festival Lughnasa. After a proclamation by Kate that the sisters are too old to go to the harvest dance, they break out into a wild, spontaneous dance around the kitchen to the music of Marconi (their radio). Michael remembers this dance vividly, as well as the return of his uncle, Jack, and father, Gerry. He had expected Jack to return as a hero instead he returned mentally confused and weak with malaria. He struggles to regain his English vocabulary, having spent 25 years speaking Swahili. This struggle with language lends sparks of humor to the story. Jack's mental clarity increases as the play progresses, and with clarity come stories of the pagan rituals in Africa. These stories, coupled with all the talk about Lughnasa, disturb Kate with her staunch Catholicism. Michael's father Gerry returns to see Christina after a long absence, and asks her to marry him and promises Michael a bicycle. Although he's very charming and certainly has the "gift o' the blarney".Christina refuses to marry him and he never remembers to get a bicycle for Michael. The Mundys are devoted to each other but with money problems, conflicts over religion and family frictions, the Mundy's struggle to stay true to each other.
All of the actors in this production do an excellent job of becoming their characters. Their Irish accents are consistent, believable and delightful to listen to. The entire play occurs in the kitchen and yard of the Mundys' home and the set is simple and fits the play very well. The lighting and sound were subtle and didn't distract from the action. This is a quality production of an entertaining play. •
Christina Mundy's son, Michael (portrayed by Alec Wilson), narrates the play, which consists of his somewhat idealized memories of the summer of 1936, when he was seven years old. His memories are centered around the five Mundy sisters -Kate, Margaret, Agnes, Rose and Christina. They are all unmarried and living in a house together, along with Michael and their older brother Jack (portrayed by Curtis Glaccum), who has recently returned from Africa. Kate, played by Andee Martin, is the oldest of the sisters. She is uptight, devoutly Catholic and very concerned about the family reputation. Margaret, the second oldest, portrayed by Christina Lydy. Margaret, or Maggie as her sisters call her, is the light-hearted, fun-loving sister who frequently acts as a peacemaker. The middle sister, Agnes, portrayed by McKenna Twedt. Agnes is the most compassionate and feels especially responsible for Rose, who is her partner in knitting gloves for extra money. Portrayed by Rani Lightle, Rose is the second youngest. She is mentally challenged and all her sisters feel responsible for her. Christina, the youngest, portrayed by Brooke Lawson, who doesn't quite seem to know what to do with Gerry, Michael's father (played by Evan Christopher).
Michael has vivid memories of the harvest time, which was also the time of the Celtic festival Lughnasa. After a proclamation by Kate that the sisters are too old to go to the harvest dance, they break out into a wild, spontaneous dance around the kitchen to the music of Marconi (their radio). Michael remembers this dance vividly, as well as the return of his uncle, Jack, and father, Gerry. He had expected Jack to return as a hero instead he returned mentally confused and weak with malaria. He struggles to regain his English vocabulary, having spent 25 years speaking Swahili. This struggle with language lends sparks of humor to the story. Jack's mental clarity increases as the play progresses, and with clarity come stories of the pagan rituals in Africa. These stories, coupled with all the talk about Lughnasa, disturb Kate with her staunch Catholicism. Michael's father Gerry returns to see Christina after a long absence, and asks her to marry him and promises Michael a bicycle. Although he's very charming and certainly has the "gift o' the blarney".Christina refuses to marry him and he never remembers to get a bicycle for Michael. The Mundys are devoted to each other but with money problems, conflicts over religion and family frictions, the Mundy's struggle to stay true to each other.
All of the actors in this production do an excellent job of becoming their characters. Their Irish accents are consistent, believable and delightful to listen to. The entire play occurs in the kitchen and yard of the Mundys' home and the set is simple and fits the play very well. The lighting and sound were subtle and didn't distract from the action. This is a quality production of an entertaining play. •
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