Theater Review:
Dancing at Lughnasa
At Northern Stage
By Charlie McMeekin

Actors Kathryn Markey and Ethan T. Bowen of Rochester appear in Northern Stage's production of "Dancing At Lughnasa" through Feb. 18 at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction. For tickets call 802-296-7000.

The front page of this paper was recently graced with a color photograph of dancer Maegan Woodin leaping along the beach. Something about the beauty, the dignity, the powerful communication of dance reached out and spoke to a newspaper staff whose bread and butter tends to be in crafting words rather than movement. And that‚s the same powerful urge that drives Northern Stage‚s current production of „‰Dancing at Lughnasa‰, a somber and yet empowering look at the human spirit, the paucity of vocabulary to express basic human truth, and the power of dance to speak for us when our words fail.

The show examines the lives of the Mundy family, five daughters, a son of the youngest daughter, an itinerant boyfriend., and a priest. It‚s 1936, and revolution is in the air. It‚s a revolution against the strictness of the Irish Catholic religion, against the grinding work which allows little time for social activity, and against the Industrial revolution, which is just making its presence felt in the green hills of Ireland. Holding the family together is Kate, always a strong name in theater, it seems. Charis Leos creates a fabulous character with this plum role, quick to judge, stern in demeanor, shocked at the way the world is changing, yet able to be deeply moved by the same passions which stir in us all. She‚s a

school teacher and the primary breadwinner, at least until her contract is not renewed. Ironically, her downfall is probably due to the return of her relative, Father Jack, who has spent more than two decades in Uganda, and has „gone native‰ leaving his Catholicism behind. His faith has moved beyond words into his own dance of spirituality. He has symbolically lost his native language, and it disturbs those who would hold on to structure and order. Michael Lopez gives the priest a most disturbing sense of bringing an alien universe into the tightly wrapped world of the town of Ballybeg.

The other four daughters are equally complex and delightful. Maggie (Kathryn Markey)has the most irrepressible spirit, and a beautiful singing voice. Katie Cunningham plays Chris, who has had a child out of wedlock, and who carries an eternal attraction for the man who fathered her child, a dance instructor (Thom Miller). Agnes is played by Carol Dunne, whose slumbering sexuality is just waiting to burst into flame, as seen in a memorable dance sequence with Chris‚ boyfriend. Finally, there‚s Catherine Doherty, who convincingly plays Rose, a somewhat challenged young woman. Catherine also manages to be the producing director of the show.

Of course, the biggest treat for Herald readers is that Rochester resident Ethan Bowen has a starring role in the production, playing Chris‚ son, who narrates the story from his perspective in 1961. Unlike the other characters, Ethan has to rely on words to get his point across, and his gentle Irish brogue and relaxed manner are both superb complements to grace the storytelling tradition this play salutes in its structure.

Playwright Brian Friel is an Irishman, and this is an Irish play, which means it‚s not a laugh riot. But the message of the play speaks deeply to anyone who is truly engaged with life. Near the end of the first act, as the pressure of existence and following the rules becomes unbearably intense, the play‚s most memorable moment left me in tears. Briefly, the girls consider going to the upcoming dance to celebrate Lughnasa, a holiday dedicated to the last queen of Fir Bolg, who died of exhaustion from clearing fields. When Kate puts her foot down and forbids further frivolity, Maggie issues a primal scream, covers her face with flour, and begins to dance. The other women join in, until finally even Kate steps off her own dance in the front yard. It‚s primal, beautiful, and stunning.

This is the third time I‚ve had the chance to see this show, and each time my appreciation of it has grown deeper and richer. In the hands of this gifted cast, under the talented direction of Northern Stage newcomer Nevin Hedley, this is a rich evening of theater that leaves its audience more appreciative of life‚s mystery, in all its darkness and ecstasy. „Dancing at Lughnasa‰ runs Wednesdays through Sundays until February 18 at the Briggs Opera House in downtown White River Junction. Tickets may be reserved by calling 296-7000