Irish summer stirs up memories, old friends and lost romances

By Angela Archunde
COPY EDITOR

Dancing at Lughnasa tells the story of a family with dreams too big for their modest life. It was the summer of 1936 in a small village called Ballybeg outside of Donegal, Ireland. The five Mundy sisters kept a small farmhouse. The oldest sister, Kate (Amanda Charlebois), acts as a tyrannical teacher to her younger siblings. Maggie (Andrea Macy), who is rambunctious and jovial, often tries to keep the peace among the family by acting silly or telling a riddle. Christina (Callie Jean Slusser), or Chris, is the hopeless romantic of the family with an 8-year-old son, Michael, who was born out of wedlock. Agnes (Rachel Soloman), who is rather quiet and shy, keeps to herself by knitting most of the time, and looking after the youngest sister Rose (Nikki Trombley). Young Rose, a naïve girl, often acts as a hopeless romantic herself.

The sisters bicker and giggle away doing their house chores while 8-year-old Michael plays outside with his kites. Michael (Spencer Christiano) tells the story as a grown man. He reminisces of the good times and laughter that was shared during that summer. All of the girls help care for Michael. Maggie, Christina, Agnes and Rose all have hopes to go to the festival of Lughnasa, which celebrates a day of Lugh, god of music and light. Kate won’t let her younger sisters to attend the deity of a pagan.

Meanwhile, their older brother, Father Jack Mundy (Daryl Acevedo) has returned from Africa after 25 years, and he is not well. A surprise visit from Michael’s father, the ever-charming Gerry Evans (Keenan Bloom), shocks the whole family and leaves Chrissy’s mind up in the clouds. The approaching fall season will soon change the family forever.

How the story ends is not as important to Michael as the story of that summer. He remembers the nostalgia and sweet music that brought the girls so much joy. “They were floating on sweet sounds,” Michael says.

Christiano told the story in perfect Irish tongue. Bloom, a senior from Brockport High School, effortlessly captured Gerry’s charm with wit and grace. He embodied a Frank Sinatra type, and Bloom’s talent preceded his age. Macy brought her role of Maggie to life as the audience roared with laughter.

Trombley brought the right amount charisma and giddiness to her innocent character, Rose. Slusser conveyed true vulnerability in her character, and the sparks between Slusser and Bloom ignited.

Dancing at Lughnasa is a play filled with love and sorrow, so be prepared for a ride of emotions. It is sure to please anyone with a compassionate heart. Performances continue March 6 to 8 at 7:30 p.m.