Lughnasa is a Celtic harvest festival, and this play “harvests” Micheal’s memories in a bountiful sheaf of characters, unique to their time and place. The entire cast is excellent, presenting lively, distinct characters, with convincing Irish dialects, yet completely intelligible.
I particularly liked Shannon Bowen as Maggie, full of fun and singing. This was not a musical, per se, but there was a good amount of singing and dancing (kudos to choreographers Lisa Whiting Dobson and Amanda Kennedy) Amelia Rogocka was Michael’s coquettish mom; Miranda Sue Hartmann was jealous Agnes; Chelsea Witgen was the vulnerable Rose, and Gini Larson was the religious, motherly sister. Rick Dethlefsen was Father Jack, returning from his missionary work in a leper colony with some not-quite-catholic ideas. Connor Kelly was Michael's charming here-today-gone-tomorrow father.
The set was a cozy, period cottage (Mary Job, Jeff Miller) realistic, but cut-away for an unfinished effect. Joe Dickson’s lighting and Bryan Ruhf’s sound enhanced this dreamlike, wistful, complex family portrait.
I may have advised you to bring a fan to the previous hot show at Ledges; this time bring a sweater or jacket. Remember, at Over the Ledge you can BYO “special” beverages and can take concession items into the theatre.
Dancing at Lughnasa continues through September 16
http://www.overtheledge.org