‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ exudes joy, sorrow in equal measure

The first mists from the outer reaches of Hurricane Helene began to fall just as the lights went down on Thursday’s showing of “Dancing at Lughnasa” at the Firebox Theatre in Wake Forest. The conditions set a fitting tone.

The gray sky and light rain could make one think that the rural, 1930s Ireland depicted on stage really was just a moment away.

“Lughnasa” is a ‘memory play.’ It’s told from the point of view of an older, wiser, Michael Evans as he looks back on August of 1936 in the fictional town of Ballybeg, Ireland.

Evans, a ‘love child’ born out of wedlock, spent that time in the household of his aunts, the five Mundy sisters.

This, we’re later told, was when the Industrial Revolution would finally come to Ballybeg, and when the Mundy family unit would begin to crumble under the weight of infighting and a rapidly changing society.

All five sisters get their moment in the sun. Abigail Hackenberg plays Chris, Michael’s mother, and shines as a young woman torn between maternal responsibility, and the prospect of reigniting a former flame with Gerry, a struggling salesman, played by Andrew Price Carlile.

Tamara Farias’ turn as Kate Mundy, the eldest sister, is a highlight. The ‘sensible’ sister, she serves as the de facto head of the Mundy clan, bringing complexity and authenticity to the layered role.

Maggie Mundy injects a wealth of humor into the proceedings. It serves to lighten the mood as the collective outlook of the sisters gets more grim. Cassie Ford’s cheery portrayal is tinged with melancholy, and her dancing is a standout.

Agnes Mundy, played by Cora Hemphill, is tasked with reeling in her sister, Rose’s, flights of fancy and naive love affair with an older gentleman. Both are captivating in challenging roles.

Early in the story, the Mundy sisters welcome home their brother, Jack, played by Michael Foley, who left Ireland as a young man for Uganda, and struggles to adjust to life back in Ireland.

Taken as a whole, the sisters dance and sing to their new radio, and embody joy as best they can. That joy proves more difficult to find, however, as the simplicity of rural life gives way to the impending industrialization and an accompanying sense of dread.

The Tony-winning production was adapted to the stage at the Firebox Theater in Wake Forest by Director Tim Artz.

“Dancing at Lughnasa” will continue this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Firebox. Tickets can be purchased online, or in person before the show.

The Firebox Theatre Company is located inside The Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Center aka “The Graham” at 306 S. White St. Suite 200, above The Cotton Company. The historic building, formerly a cotton warehouse, has been transformed into an intimate 65-seat black box theatre.

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