Dancing at Lughnasa

Department of Communication and Theatre

14 February 2013


PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release



ESU Theatre Presents Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa

Emporia State University Theatre presents its 2013 Spring
Production, Dancing at Lughnasa. Winner of the 1992 Tony
Award for Best Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best
Broadway Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for
Best Play, it was also chosen by Time magazine as one of the ten
best plays for 1991, saying it is "The most elegant and rueful
memory play since The Glass Menagerie."

Written by the renowned Irish playwright Brian Friel, Dancing at
Lughnasa is among his most popular works. The play will be
presented under the direction of Dr. Jim Ryan beginning
Wednesday evening February 27.

Dancing at Lughnasa is the story of five unmarried sisters living
in a small village in Ireland. Set in 1936, the play is portrayed
through the memories of seven-year-old Michael (Noah Mefford,
Senior, Burlington) who is the illegitimate son of Chris (Trinity
Standridge, Senior, Olathe) and Gerry (Andrew Walker, Senior,
Wichita).

Now grown, Michael tells the story of his mother and his four
aunts: Kate (Cara Lohkamp, Senior, Wichita), Maggie (Annie
Rosenbrook, Senior, Merriam), Agnes (Erin Mullane, Junior,
Gardner), and Rose (Miranda S. Nation, Freshman, Winfield).

Michael recalls the return of his elderly uncle, Father Jack
(Brandon Jensen, Junior, Salina), from a 25-year mission trip in a
Ugandan leper colony. We meet the characters during the festival
of Lughnasa (pronounced LOO-nuh-suh), a celebration of a
pagan god of the harvest.

Widely regarded as Friel's masterpiece, this haunting play will be
presented in an atmospheric world created by scenic designer
Nancy Pontius. Ron Fowlkes (Lighting Designer) and Susan Mai
(Costume Designer) help to bring the world of the play to life.

The production staff includes Doug Dion (Technical
Director/Sound) and Amanda Dura (Costume Shop Manager).
Lexey Jost (Junior, Hutchinson) will serve as the Production Stage
Manager. Kylie Geiman (Sophomore, Louisburg) is the assistant
stage manager.
Mark Warner (Junior, Salina) serves as the Master Carpenter.

Dancing at Lughnasa will open Wednesday, February 27th, and
run through Saturday, March 2nd. All performances will be at
7:30 p.m. in Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall. Tickets are
available from the ESU Box office on the main level of the
Memorial Union or by calling 620-341-6378.





For additional information:
Jim Bartruff, Director of Theatre
620-341-5704
jbartruf@emporia.edu


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