Irish playwright Enda Walsh fashions a
dramatic gem in his story of three sisters
and a fishmonger. Yes, there is humor in
this drama as it delves into the poignant
and absurd recurrences in the lives of
Breda, Clara, and Ada. A single night at
a dance hall turns into the hub-and-spoke
for the sisters’ journey into life
and psyche. New York Times critic Charles
Isherwood notes, "The New
Electric Ballroom affirms Mr.
Walsh’s
growing reputation as a contender to take
his place in the long, distinguished line
of great Irish playwrights. Mr. Walsh’s
tale of those electric moments of experience — a
chance encounter, a word of rejection,
a cherished romance — that come to
define the narrative of our lives has certainly
left a singular imprint on mine.”
The New Electric Ballroom is
a dark fable of the emotionally stultifying
effects of small-town life. Three sisters
in a remote fishing village, trapped in
the years that have passed since their
halcyon days at The New Electric Ballroom--a
dance palace that was the center of their
youthful larks--are still obsessed by darker
memories of something resembling romance.They
are joined by Patsy, an
urgently jovial fishmonger whose visits
offer a real-world counter
to the sisters’ cracked shenanigans.
Seizing upon Patsy’s transparent
hunger for affection, the sisters pull
him into their demented ritual.
FUSION mounts Walsh’s play with
the sure hand of director Cecil O’Neal.
Many will remember Mr. O’Neal’s
inspired direction of Walsh’s Bedbound in
FUSION’s 2003 season. FUSION Company
stars comprise the ensemble.
The New Electric Ballroom continues
through February 13th with Thursday and
Friday performances
at 8:00 p.m., two performances on Saturdays
at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 6:00
p.m. For tickets and information call 766-9412
or click here:
Single tickets are $30 for
general admission, $25 for students and
seniors. Thursday performances (excluding
opening night) feature a $10.00 student
rush (with valid I.D.) and $20 actor rush
(with professional resume.) The first Saturday
matinee, January 29, is a pay-what-you-wish
performance. Group discounts are also available.
Substantial
discounts are available when you purchase
a 
Free parking is plentiful
in our lot just north of the theatre. The
Cell is located at 700 1st St. N.W., just
west of Broadway and south of Lomas.
