Two River Theater Presents DANCING AT LUGHNASA Directed By Jessica Stone

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the complete cast and creative team for its production of Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa, winner of the 1992 Tony Award for Best Play. Dancing at Lughnasa will be directed by Jessica Stone, who previously directed acclaimed productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Absurd Person Singular at Two River Theater.

Performances will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, April 14 and continue through Sunday, May 13. The opening night performance is Friday, April 20 at 7pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The lead production sponsor is Springpoint Senior Living Foundation and the media sponsor is The Two River Times.

Friel's play-set in the summer of 1936, during the Celtic harvest festival of Lughnasa-is a modern masterpiece about the Mundy sisters, five unmarried women who live together in County Donegal, on the west coast of Ireland. Their brother, Father Jack, has just returned from 25 years as a missionary in Uganda. The story is framed by the memories of the narrator, Michael, the grown-up illegitimate son of one of the sisters, who also speaks the lines of his seven-year-old self as he remembers that summer, when everything seemed to be on the brink of change. Dedicated to Friel's own aunts, Dancing at Lughnasa is suffused with both tenderness and darkness as it evokes two days in the life of the family, and their desires, struggles, and ambitions.

The company includes Megan Byrne (Kate), Michael Cumpsty (Jack), Meredith Garretson (Chris), Mylinda Hull (Maggie), Cillian O'Sullivan (Gerry), Christa Scott-Reed (Agnes), Mandy Siegfried (Rose), and Harry Smith (Michael).

The creative team includes choreographer Connor Gallagher, scenic designer Tobin Ost, costume designer Gabriel Berry, lighting designer Jason Lyons, sound designer Drew Levy, hair designer Cookie Jordan and dialect coach Blake Segal. The casting is by Alaine Alldaffer & Lisa Donadio, and the production stage manager is Megan Smith.

Ticket prices range from $40 to $70, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for every performance; $20 tickets may be partial view. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $20 and include the best available seats at every performance. Tickets are available from tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400.

Inside Two River is a series of events specially curated for each Two River Theater production. For more information or to reserve seats, patrons should visit tworivertheater.org or call 732.345.1400.

Get Jigging with Us: Irish Step Dancing Night

Led by the Jig Factory Dancers
Thursday, March 22 at 7pm

The Jig Factory Irish Dance School will perform and teach all in attendance a series of traditional dance steps. No dance experience is necessary to participate. This event will be followed by traditional Irish teatime treats and live music performed by The Kilkenny Cats trio.

Travel Chat: A Taste of Ireland

Led by CIE International Tours & Excel Travel
Sunday, April 15 at 1pm

Experts from CIE Tours will present an audio-visual presentation about the unique travel experiences that can be enjoyed in Ireland. This event will include an opportunity for participants to ask questions and receive exclusive discounts.

A Series of Irish Talks

Presented as part of the Conversation + Play salon series curated by the producers of the TEDxAsburyPark conference and Two River Theater

Monday, April 16 at 7pm

Three guest speakers will each present brief talk on their area of expertise. A Q&A session will follow and light refreshments will be served

Meet-up with Madeleine

Saturday, April 21 following the 3pm performance

Meet-up with Madeleine is a post-show discussion series with Two River's Playwright-in-Residence, Madeleine George. Patrons are invited to enjoy refreshments and conversation on topics including Brian Friel, the play's themes, elements of the production, and more.

Audience Extras

Before Play

Audiences will learn about Brian Friel and this production of Dancing at Lughnasa in Two River's Before Play lecture series, which takes place 45 minutes prior to every performance, and Lobby Display.

Post-Play Conversations

Discussions with the cast and a member of Two River's Artistic staff will take place following the performances on Wednesday, April 25 at 7pm; Sunday, April 29 at 3pm; and Wednesday, May 2 at 1pm.

Working with Google, Two River has created and launched a virtual tour of its facility, which lives on Google Maps and tworivertheater.org. This virtual tour provides an additional level of support and benefit for patrons who use wheelchairs or require other assistance by allowing them to virtually come through the theater's front doors and view the space in detail in advance of their visit.

An audio-described performance is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2 at 1pm; an open-captioned performance is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at 3pm; and a sign-interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, May 12 at 3pm. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $25 for patrons using these services. To reserve wheelchair-accessible seating or tickets to a performance listed above, patrons should call 732.345.1400 or e-mail boxoffice@trtc.org.

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