Director Esther Emery strives for unity of ensemble in Brian Friel’s charming memory play, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” but misses by a wee bit of off-key casting. The portrayal of naiveté bordering on mentally challenged is not achieved by employing an inexperienced actor but requires one of extreme skill. One need only recall the performance of Robin Pearson Rose as the mentally challenged Rose (Old Globe, 1995) for an example of the childlike adult played with the kind of subtlety PJ Anbey seems to lack.
The other four Irish sisters from tiny Ballybeg, circa 1936, are excellently portrayed by Kristianne Kurner as dour breadwinner Kate; Grace Delaney as the feisty Maggie; Amanda Morrow as the unwed mother Agnes; and Amanda Sitton as Chris, who harbors a deep longing for Gerry (Manny Fernandes), the errant father of Agnes’ invisible child named Michael.
Charlie Riendeau is fine as the eccentric Father Jack, the sisters’ elder brother, gone native, malarial and a bit senile during a mission in Uganda. He’s come home to die.
Unfolding in Friel’s imagistic Gaelic-tinged language, the story is told from the memory of Agnes’ now grown-up child Michael (incandescent Joshua Everett Johnson) who stands at the side of the stage to establish context and closure.
Nothing much, yet everything in life, happens in this lovely play, which evokes tears and a certain, sad and ineffable longing. The radio, called Marconi by the sisters, sometimes works and they occasionally dance, though Kate goes to the garden, where she may be unseen as she moves in a restrained, dignified manner, as she lives her life. Nick Fouch creates a rustic setting and Mary Larson’s costumes add to the simple charm of the work.
“Dancing at Lughnasa” continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 30 at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787-B State St., Carlsbad.
For tickets and information, visit www.newvillagearts.org or phone (760) 433-3245.