Irish memory: 'Dancing at Lughnasa' performed in March

Details: By Ginger Webb; Category: Theater; Last Updated: 19 March 2023; Hits: 1583

Arlington residents Laura DeCesare (L) and Nancy Finn (R) with Shawna Ciampa and Michelle Mount (center) rehearsing a dance. / Mary Babic photo

Arlington Friends of the Drama continues its 2022-2023 centennial season with "Dancing at Lughnasa," an Irish memory play. It opened March 3 and is set to run through March 19, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. More details are given toward the end of this article.

Told through the semiautobiographical recollections of playwright Brian Friel, this play of lyrical storytelling recalls the experiences of a young man named Michael as he is growing up in County Donegal with his mother and four single aunts. The summer of 1936 holds bittersweet memories, including when his uncle, a Catholic mission priest, returns home, his absentee father makes an appearance and music from the family's first radio soars during the harvest festival of Lughnasa.

Stage direction is by the award-winning Michelle Aguillon, and the play has particular poignancy for her. “I was a student at the National Theater in London in the summer of 1992," she said. "I didn’t have a lot of money, and, [with] what little I had, I saw plays and musicals.

"The play unfolded with its lights, its gorgeous set, the unforgettable Irish music and that wonderfully talented cast of actors who took us all back to a particular time and place. I was taken by the story ...."

Michelle Aguillon, director. Kai Chao photo Michelle Aguillon, director. / Kai Chao photo

"There was a particular Sunday afternoon when I wanted to catch any play, especially [one] unknown to me. The play that day was 'Dancing at Lughnasa.' I scored a £5 student-rush ticket for the last row of the balcony. The usher took pity on me and let me head downstairs to the first row in the orchestra section.

"The play unfolded with its lights, its gorgeous set, the unforgettable Irish music and that wonderfully talented cast of actors who took us all back to a particular time and place. I was taken by the story [and] its location, and, coming from a devout Catholic family of four sisters myself, I was particularly drawn to the Mundy sisters. They reminded me of me and my sisters, Lynn, Terri and Annie, who survived a lot, and [whom] I think of often while working on this show.”

Because Aguillon is Filipina, she knows that, as a woman of color, she likely never would have been cast in this beautiful play. But she appreciates the themes of family struggles, good storytelling and reflection on on how family relationships and values affect the rest of one’s life. These are universal, she said, and she is thrilled to finally have the opportunity to direct this play, which she has loved for years.

AFD performed in 2007

Last performed at AFD in 2007, 'Dancing at Lughnasa' played at that time to sold-out crowds.

This current production features two Arlington residents: Laura DeCesare and Nancy Finn as sisters Rose and Kate. In addition, Jenn Shea, Shawna Ciampa, Michelle Mount, Josh Telepman, Gordon Ellis and Nick Miller make up the rest of the adult cast, while Sebastian and Eveline Putnam share the role of young Michael. Choreography is by Suzanne Neuman.

The show is set to open Friday, March 3, and run through March 19, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.

Arlington Friends of the Drama is at 22 Academy St., Arlington, across from the community center.

On-street parking is available, and transportation to near the location is accessible via the 77 bus on Mass. Ave.

Wheelchair-accessible seats are available via the box office, and assistive listening devices are available.