The actors and actresses of “Dancing at Lughnasa” are ramping up rehearsals in anticipation of the play’s opening night on Feb. 27.
The play, written in 1990 by Brian Friel, is directed by Tod Sebens. It revolves around the lives of five sisters and one of their young sons, Michael, who live in 1936 Donegal, Ireland.
The play is constructed largely around an adult Michael’s memories of his childhood, particularly how the introduction of a new “Marconi” radio into the household influences his life.
“It’s about how he perceives his childhood, the memories of his childhood growing up with the music, and his four aunts and his mom and his dad who only comes back every year or so for a brief visit,” Sebens said.
The eight-member cast includes Jacob Brown as Michael, Gina Randles as Christina Mundy, Christina Baskaya as Agnes Mundy, Heather Lende as Kate Mundy, Cheryl Mullins as Maggie Mundy, Michaela Chambers as Rose Mundy, Steve Daly as Father Jack and Dave Routh as Gerry Evans.
Lende called the play “funny and sweet,” and Sebens referred to it as a “feel-good play about family.”
Sebens said one of the main challenges at this point is getting the actors and actresses to hone their Irish accents.
The play is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Chilkat Center. The final showing is a matinee at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.