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4play See other 4play Articles Title: Irish drama has U.S. debut at Play Ground An Irish drama about a family dealing with disability makes its U.S. premiere today in Duluth. While studying theater in Ireland, Duluth director Anika Thompson attended the world premiere of 'The Way You Look Tonight,' performed by the Druid Theater in Galway. Thompson said she was so moved by the work, she was determined to produce it in the U.S. as soon as it was available. The play focuses on a paralyzed matriarch, the children who have all abandoned her in different ways, and their individual reactions to their father's ill-kept secrets. The work by playwright Niall Williams is being staged today through Saturday and May 25-27 at The Play Ground, 11 E. Superior St. 'I think on a personal level I was drawn to it initially because it deals with parents -- losing a parent or not being there for a parent when they need you,' said Thompson, who has a master's degree in fine arts with an emphasis in playwriting from Ohio University Athens. 'Now that I've gotten a little older, I've started to empathize with the lead character mother figure. We all get old, our bodies start to fall apart, and we start to wonder, 'Will everyone still love me when this happens?'' A 15-year veteran of the Duluth theater community, actress Ellie Martin has taken on a lot of roles dealing with aging and death, including 'On Golden Pond' and 'Steel Magnolias.' In 'The Way You Look Tonight,' Martin portrays mother Katherine Dooley, who she characterizes as cantankerous on the surface, but also playful, loving and accepting, especially when it comes to her husband. Martin said she was drawn to this play largely because of its writing. 'Irish playwrights are so lyrical...when I read the play out loud, I said 'I gotta do this.'' As a counselor at Denfeld High School, Martin is intrigued by the play's recurring themes of communication problems and the use of fantasy to escape a harsh reality. 'It's hard to encompass all this play is about, but in the end it's about family and forgiveness and loving,' she said, 'and even if things don't turn out exactly the way you hoped, there's still a lot of hope and joy that can be had in life.' SARAH HENNING3 covers arts and entertainment. She can be reached at (218) 279-5536 or by e-mail at shenning@duluthnews.com. Copyright © 2006 Duluth News-Tribune, All Rights Reserved.
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