Novato Theater Company Presents Brian Friel's Tony Award-Winning DANCING AT LUGHNASA

This cathartic, Tony Award-winning play that inspired the movie starring Meryl Streep is a timeless classic performed all over the world. And now it comes to Novato, directed by Patricia Miller of Pollinator Arts with a cast of well-known Marin favorites, joined by talented professionals from San Francisco, Sonoma, Richmond and Berkeley. The show is produced by Mark Clark.

Dancing at Lughnasa runs May 20-June 12 at Novato Theater Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive, Novato. Set in 1936 in Donegal, Ireland, the play is rooted in the Mundy family, five spirited sisters recently joined by their prodigal brother, a renegade priest back from Africa in disgrace "for going native." The vivacious sisters squabble and banter, facing the threat of loss and economic collapse with humor and spirit. Deep pagan instincts battle with Catholic expectations. A charming traveling salesman lifts hearts and hopes, and their new-fangled Marconi radio fills the stage with dance music from a distant place and time. All the while, Michael, the illegitimate son of the youngest sister, is watched as he grows by his wiser, elder self, weaving an unforgettable, theatrical spell.

Cast and Home Cities

Cast:

· Rose Mundy - Isabelle Grimm (Novato)

· Christine Mundy - Lily Jackson (San Rafael)

· Kate Mundy - Kristine Ann Lowry (San Rafael)

· Agnes Mundy - Siobhan O'Brien (Richmond)

· Maggie Mundy - Shannon Veon Kase (Berkeley)

· Father Jack - Jim McFadden (Sonoma)

· Gerry Evans - Mark Ian Schwartz (San Rafael)

· Michael Evans - John J. Hanlon (Greenbrae)

Crew:

· Director - Patricia Miller (San Francisco)

· Producer - Mark Clark (Novato)

· Set Design - Mark Clark

· Costume Design - Misha Murphy (San Rafael)

· Lighting Design - "Electric Bill" Weinberg (San Rafael)

· Show Stage Manager/Light Operator - Halina

· Rehearsal Stage Manager - Dale Camden

The Play and the Playwright

Brian Patrick Friel (1929 - 2015) Considered one of the greatest English-language dramatists, he was hailed as an "Irish Chekhov" and "the universally accented voice of Ireland". His plays have been compared favorably to those of contemporaries such as Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller, Harold Pinter and Tennessee Williams. Recognized for early works such as Philadelphia, Here I Come! and Faith Healer, Friel had 24 plays published in a career that spanned more than half-century. His plays were commonly featured on Broadway throughout this time.

Dancing at Lughnasa was originally presented at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1990. It transferred to London's National Theatre in 1991, winning the Olivier Award for Best Play, and subsequently to Broadway's Plymouth Theatre where it won the Tony Award for Best Play as well as a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Play.

CURTAIN TIMES AND TICKETS

Venue: NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Dr., Novato

Preview: Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm

Opens: Friday, May 20 at 8:00 pm

Runs: Fridays and Saturdays: 8:00 pm; Sundays: 2:00 pm, through June 12

Running Time:

Tickets: $27 Adults, $21 NTC Members and Subscribers, $24 Seniors/Students, $12 Children 12 and under, $15 Preview. Online ticketing at www.novatotheatercompany.org; call (415) 883-4498 for questions/information only. No credit cards accepted at the theater box office for walk ups, cash or checks only. Open Seating • Free Parking • ADA Compliant

Opening Novato Theater Company's 2016 - 2017 Season

Sept 9 - Oct 2. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Directed by Michael Barr

Dancing at Lughnasa. Novato Theater Company presents Brien Friel's drama set in Ireland in 1936. Five spirited sisters, recently joined by their prodigal brother, squabble and banter, facing the threat of loss and economic collapse with humor and spirit. Directed by Patricia Miller. NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive, Novato. May 15-June 12. Fri-Sat 8:00 pm; Sundays 2:00 pm. One preview, May 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets $12-27 at www.novatotheatercompany.org; (415) 883-4498 for information only.

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