Director Catheine Gillet has announced auditions for the Tryon Little Theater’s second production of the season, Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa,” to be held at the workshop, 516 S. Trade St., at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, and at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12.

New York Times theater critic Frank Rich called Friel’s play “A theatrical masterpiece of beauty and poignancy . . . it strikes deep chords that words cannot begin to touch.”

During one glorious summer’s end in 1936, with Europe poised on the verge of terrible change, the Mundy family shelters in their cottage just outside Donegal, Ireland — five unmarried sisters, their missionary brother Jack just returned from Uganda, and Michael, the son of the youngest sister.

The arrival of Michael’s father on his way to fight for Franco in Spain, and a wireless radio, unleash repressed passion on the eve of the Festival of Lughnasa, and life as they have known it is forever changed.

A memory play told from the perspective of an adult Michael, this multi award-winning drama portrays the strength and bravery of five women who choose to dance wildly in a final celebration of their lives, theater representatives said.

There are roles for five women and three men, ages 30s to 50s. Auditions will be readings from the script. 

Those auditioning should also bring a short monologue which displays a convincing Irish accent, or in Gerry’s case, a Welsh accent.  Specific information on roles is available at TLTinfo.org.

Production dates are Nov. 8-18. Rehearsals begin the last week in September.

– Submitted by Connie Clark