Dancing at Lughnasa

★★★★  “So you think you can captivate?  “Dancing at Lughnasa” — Brian Friel’s bittersweet Tony-winning play of common lives told with uncommon grace — does exactly just that in  A RICHLY SATISFYING REVIVAL at the Irish Repertory Company. Director Charlotte Moore has assembled a first-rate cast and guides her actors to sensitive and distinctive performances. That includes a wordless and cathartic dance choreographed by Barry McNabb. THIS WONDERFUL PRODUCTION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PLAY FLIES HIGH.” — NY Daily News

“The off-Broadway Irish Repertory Theatre’s SUPERB PRODUCTION of Friel’s lyrical, bittersweet drama “Dancing at Lughnasa” is NOT TO BE MISSED. The haunting, autobiographical memory play, winner of three Tony Awards for its Broadway run in 1991-92, CASTS ITS MAGICAL SPELL YET AGAIN, under the artistic vision and sure touch of director Charlotte Moore, enacted by a fine cast.” — Associated Press

“What’s needed to bring such a script to life is a cast that brings out the vivid emotional lives underneath the words, and, fortunately, director Charlotte Moore has that in abundance. For those who can see it, this lovely memory play is SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING.” — TheaterMania

“Sensitively acted and gracefully directed by Charlotte Moore (with elegant choreography by Barry McNabb)…“Lughnasa,” by turns joyous and tragic, is UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE IN NEW YORK AT THE MOMENT.” — Bloomberg

“…A SMALL JEWEL OF A REVIVAL. A fine ensemble in a fine play.” — New York Magazine

“In lesser hands this intimate, largely plotless portrait could easily drag but Charlotte Moore’s LOVELY PRODUCTION FEATURING SOME BEAUTIFULLY NUANCED PERFORMANCES and ample doses of humor allow the work to soar to poetic heights… in this fine collaborative effort, each one leaves an indelible mark on our own memories.” — Roma Torre, NY1

“Friel’s elegiac memory play… beautifully captures the tensions between desire and duty, past and present, and family and individuality. The actors are appealing, the staging simple, the music and dancing restrained but charming. Thankfully, in a play where many pivotal events happen offstage, THE CAST NAVIGATES THE TALKY TEXT WITH GRACE and their lilting brogues may make for some nice word-music.” — Time Out

“In Charlotte Moore’s fine production, Ciaran O’Reilly’s Michael is a particular triumph, with this always reliable actor absolutely at the top of his form, playing his character, as a child and as an adult, with a grace which eliminates any problems the role itself may present. As Gerry Evans, who fathered Michael, Kevin Collins is a standout, as is Orlagh Cassidy as the grim teacher, Kate, the sisters’ primary backbone. The sisters are outstanding, including Jo Kinsella’s free-spirited Maggie, Annabel Hagg’s lovely Chris, Rachel Pickup’s sober, restrained Agnes, and Aedin Moloney’s vaguely damaged Rose. Moore has done wonders with a reasonably difficult play. The choreography provided by Barry McNabb makes a solid contribution, since the text calls for a fair amount of dance. “Dancing at Lughnasa” is, beyond a doubt, ONE OF THE IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE’S BEST RECENT PRODUCTIONS.” — Irish Echo

“It’s a beautiful play, given a beautiful production. And IT WILL LINGER IN YOUR MIND AND CREATE A MEMORY OF ITS OWN.” — New York Irish Arts