Theatre Fairfield dances into new performance season | Press Releases

Theatre Fairfield dances into new performance season with Brian Friel classic

Award-winning "Dancing at Lughnasa" takes center stage at Regina A. Quick Center's Wien Experimental Theatre, October 29-November 2, 2014

Image: Lughnasa Theatre Fairfield, Fairfield University's resident production company, opens its 2014-2015 season with the award-winning play "Dancing at Lughnasa," by Irish playwright and author Brian Friel. Performances take place at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts' Wien Black Box Theatre, at 8 p.m. Wed. through Sat., Oct. 29-Nov. 1; and at 2 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 for seniors and university staff, and $5 for students.

Loosely based on Brian Friel's own life, "Dancing at Lughnasa" is a memory play that takes place in the small Irish village Balleybeg during the summer of 1936. For years, the five Mundy sisters have gone about their mundane lives living from one day to the next. However, with the return of their older brother and the subsequent visit of a handsome face from the past, the sisters' world begins to crumble around them. Through Irish step dancing and joyful and thrilling music brought by an old-fashioned radio, this play reminds its audiences that the human spirit and passion can endure even the toughest of times. "Dancing at Lughnasa" won London's prestigious Olivier Award for Best Play in 1991 followed by several Tony Awards when it came to Broadway in 1992. It was made into a film adaptation starring Meryl Streep in 1998.

"Theatre Fairfield chose ‘Lughnasa' as an active collaboration with the Irish Studies Program on campus and the large Gaelic-American population in Fairfield County," said Dr. Martha S. LoMonaco, Fairfield University Professor of Theatre and Co-Producer and Resident Director, Theatre Fairfield. "It is an especially wonderful choice for performers eager to challenge themselves by playing characters who speak in Irish dialect and also sing and step-dance. The show will be a veritable feast for the eyes and ears."

Bringing this show to life in Fairfield are New York City guest artists Tom Schwans, who is directing, and Jaclyn Meloni, the Scenic Designer. The artistic team is completed with Theatre Fairfield regulars Lynne Chase as Lighting Designer, Julie Leavitt as Costume Designer, Brian Kelly as Sound Designer, and Mary Paul as Technical Director. The cast includes, Franco Luzzi '15 (Michael) from New Haven, CT; Aubrey Sierer '16 (Kate) from Bridgeport, CT; Katie Gillette '15 (Maggie) from Woodbury, CT; Maggie Greene '15 (Agnes) from Portland, OR; Jessica Lizotte '18 (Rose) from Sandwich, MA; Grace Schiller '17 (Chris) from Holliston, MA,; Alec Bandzes '15 (Gerry) from Middlefield, CT; and Brendan Freeman '15 (Jack) from Shrewsbury, MA.

Fairfield University's theatre program, part of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers students a liberal arts education that marries theory and practice by way of its on-stage theatre laboratory. Theatre Fairfield produces at least four major productions every year and serves as a platform for community engagement as well as a professional learning environment. The next production in the season is "Directors Cut," an extravaganza of one-act plays directed and designed by advanced theatre students, opening at the PepsiCo Theatre December 4, 2014.

Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.quickcenter.com .

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit www.quickcenter.com .

Photo caption: Pictured (left-right)Grace Schiller '17 as Chris, and Alec Bandzes '15 as Gerry. Photo by Lynne Porter.