Remembering that long-ago summer in Ireland

The extraordinary story of five unmarried sisters, whose lives in a small Irish village are about to be torn apart, is shared in Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa,” onstage in Newtown, Friday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 2.

“Dancing at Lughnasa” is told from an adult’s point of view. That adult, Michael Evans, is the illegitimate son of one of the sisters and is recalling the summer he was 7, back in 1936. Michael recounts events which took place in and around his aunts’ cottage. He shares stories about the five women who raised him, and a time in their lives when love seemed possible for all of them.

This dramatic play, which earned numerous honors in 1992, including two Tony Awards, will be performed by Newtown Players. Audience members meet the sisters at the time of the festival of Lughnasa, which celebrates the pagan god of the harvest with dancing and drunken revelry.

“Dancing at Lughnasa” will be directed in Newtown by Sherry Asch. Audience members are invited for a talkback with the cast, immediately following the afternoon production on Sunday, Nov. 25. The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Road, Newtown. Friday, Nov. 16 Sunday, Dec. 2. Friday, Saturday, 8 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.; Sunday Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 2 p.m. $22 Friday and Saturday. $18 Thursday and matinee. 203-270-9144, newtownplayers.org

Michele Leigh / Contributed photo Patrick Kelly and Emily Volpintesta rehearse a scene for “Dancing at Lughnasa,” onstage at The Little Theatre in Newtown which runs Nov. 16 through Dec. 2.