A Lovely, Bittersweet “Dancing at Lughnasa”

West Palm Beach, Fl

By Skip Sheffield

Hand it to the Irish to find the beauty in struggling, suffering and failing to reach an elusive goal.Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa” is a lyrical and lovely, bittersweet memory play set in the year 1936, wonderfully realized by Palm Beach Dramaworks through June 16 at 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.“Lughnasa” tells the melancholy yet enchanting tale of five grown sisters in the tiny fictional village of Ballybeg, in 1936, just as the Spanish Civil War is heating up and the Nazis are gaining power.Older brother Jack (John Leonard Thompson) is on leave from 25 years at a Leper colony in the African British colony of Uganda. As the story unfolds it becomes apparent Jack’s retirement is not entirely voluntary.The story is told by Michael Evans (Declan Mooney), the grown illegitimate son of the dreamy youngest sister, Chris (Gretchen Porro).The father of Michael is Gerry Evans (Cliff Burgess), a Welsh traveling salesman with a gift of the blarney. Eldest daughter Kate (Julie Rowe) is a devout Catholic and the only one gainfully employed as a teacher. Maggie (Meghan Moroney) serves cheerfully as the family’s cook and maid. Agnes (Margery Lowe) is a shy, quiet woman who harbors a fierce crush on dashing Gerry Evans. Rose (Erin Joy Schmidt) is none too bright, but filled with the joy of life and expectation of love.In Act One the ladies anticipate attending a dance in town. In Act Two they deal with harsher realities of job loss, Gerry’s departure for war, and the departure of two of the sisters.Directed with almost supernatural sensitivity by J. Barry Lewis, “Lughnasa” is beautifully staged on a set by newcomer Jeff Modereger, artfully lighted by Ron Burns, with precise sound production by Steve Shapiro involving vintage radio broadcasts and old-time music.In an ensemble show like this there are no star turns. You love each character for what she is. Less admirable are the males, but we understand. This is a memory play, and that’s how it was in Ireland in 1936: sad but lovely.Tickets are $55 ($10 students). Call 561-514-4042 or go to www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.“Tick Tick Boom!” Rings TrueAh, to be young, gifted and insecure!That describes playwright/composer Jonathan, creator of “Tick Tick Boom!,” onstage through June 9 at the Mizner Park Studio Theatre.“Boom” is the second effort by the young, gifted Outre Theatre Company, and it is a much more satisfying effort than their inaugural “The Wild Party.”For one thing Boom had a previous production with two of the same principals: Mike Westrich as Larson’s alter ego Jonny and Sabrina Lynn Gore as his aspiring dancer girlfriend Susan. The setting is New York City just a week before Jonny’s 30th birthday. Adding to the pressure is a workshop production of Jonny’s ambitious musical “Superbia.” Jonny has word that potential backers will be at the show, and perhaps even his artistic idol, Stephen Sondheim.Adding to Jonny’s general malaise is the fact Susan wants to give up her show business dreams and move to some place peaceful, say Cape Cod.Jonny’s best friend Michael (Jerel Brown) has already bailed and taken a lucrative job at an advertising firm. Michael gently nudges Jonny that he could be using his creative energy in a more practical way by selling stuff for others.Michael Westrich, who was previously seen in Slow Burn Theatre’s terrific “Avenue Q,” is a compact, nervously energetic guy who embodies the love/hate dynamic of a searching, desperately creative soul. Westrich has a powerful, wideranging belt voice ideally suited to Larson’s eclectic pop-oriented songs.Sabrina Gore is also a very strong singer, though seeing her as a dance professional is a bit of a stretch. Gore embodies the power of a woman who feels her time is running out, and is willing to make the most of herself with or without the man she loves. Jerel Brown is a new and welcome addition to the ménage a trios as Michael, a gay man and successful advertising whose time is also running out. The very tall and black singer/actor contrasts comically with his diminutive, pale and harried co-star.