Irish master storyteller Brian Friel casts a nostalgic and transportive tale of five unmarried sisters and a household framed by their strength and persistence in the cherished classic Dancing at Lughnasa, directed by Amber Paige McGinnis, at Baltimore's Everyman Theatre, September 4 through October 7, 2018.
Follow Everyman Theatre's acclaimed Resident Company, stepping back in time to the summer of 1936 and a small Irish village, where young Michael recalls pennies pinched, hopes hindered, and love thwarted during a life-changing moment in the Mundy family's world-where a new radio, a homecoming, and the festive season for dance conjures a ravishing spell of ritual and remembrance. Described as "the most elegant and rueful memory play since The Glass Menagerie" (Time Magazine), Dancing at Lughnasa is a semi-autobiographical story exploring the Chekhovian question of whether "memory" is something one has... or something one has lost.
"Our 2018/19 Season celebrates memories in fun and fascinating ways, and Dancing at Lughnasa is a premier example of the 'memory play' genre," said Founding Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi. "From Yu-Hsuan Chen's set design, which explores the 'painted memory,' to Phillip Owen's compositions, which feature an evocative blend of Celtic and Pagan traditional music styles, to
David Burdick's period-inspired costume designs, this is a story that inspires far-reaching artistic visions, and audiences will find themselves enchanted by the experience."
"I see my own family of Irish immigrants in the backbreaking toil, love, and oppression examined in Dancing at Lughnasa," said director Amber McGinnis (making her Everyman directorial debut). "Directing this play provides me with an opportunity to honor their legacy-and how far we've come as women-while also examining the embedded religious, political, and economic oppression of the time."
The cast for Dancing at Lughnasa includes Resident Company members
Megan Anderson* (Maggie),
Danny Gavigan* (Gerry),
Tim Getman* (Michael), and
Bruce Randolph Nelson* (Jack). Fellow cast members include
Annie Grier (Agnes), Bari Hochwald* (Kate),
Katie Kleiger* (Chris), Labhaoise Magee (Rose), and Steve Polites (Understudy - Gerry).
The production team for Dancing at Lughnasa includes Yu-Hsuan Chen (Set Design),
David Burdick (Costume Design), Jay Herzog (Lighting Design), Phillip Owen (Sound Design & Composition), Gary Logan (Dialects),
Anne Nesmith (Wigs), Lindsey Barr (Dramaturgy), and Cat Wallis (Stage Manager).
Dancing at Lughnasa runs September 4 through October 7, 2018. Tickets ($10-65) are on sale now, online (
everymantheatre.org), by phone (410.752.2208), or at the Everyman Theatre Box Office (
315 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD).
*Member of
Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a Resident Company of artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theatre is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. The theatre strives to engage, inspire and transform artists, audiences and community through theatre of the highest artistic standards and is committed to embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre.
Dancing at Lughnasa is sponsored by Vic and Nancy Romita. Everyman Theatre's Pay-What-You-Can nights are supported by Dr. E. Lee & Bea Robbins. Everyman Theatre is supported in part by grants from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Citizens of Baltimore County.
Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, the Market Center Merchants Association and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
