Ensemble Theatre’s ‘The Ferryman’ rings true

My wife (who is Irish) and I have traveled to Ireland twice. Both times we participated in lengthily bus tours that emphasized the positive aspects of being Irish (mainly the story telling and music). While traveling there I have noticed a sort of bi-polar disorder that exists among the general population.

On the surface the Irish are a wonderfully sharing, happy and talented folk but scratch the surface (usually with a notable amount of whiskey in a one on one setting) and what emerges is an entirely different persona. The history of Ireland is fraught with tragedy and suffering. From the ten year potato famine of 1841 where the population declined by 20% due to starvation and immigration to the nearly 40 years of “The Troubles” that began in the late 60’s and resulted in the violent deaths of over 3,500 participants on all sides that included civilians, British security forces and paramilitary groups.

It seemed that no one was immune to the suffering. I remember looking at a display of poppies and a plaque at the Regent Park Band Stand commemorating the July 20, 1982 bombing that killed four soldiers and seven bandsmen as well as seven horses in a surprise attack in central London. I remember the words of our bus driver who predicted “The Troubles” would not end until the grandparents passed on. Such was the intensity of the struggle.

The three hour epic drama of Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman”, now being shown on stage by Ensemble Theatre in the Marinello Little Theatre at John Carroll University is a vivid and close up look at the conflict and the personal toll it had on Irish families. This is a show with a lot of heart that is robust in its complexity.

It begins with Father Horrigan (David Bugher) being interrogated by Muldoon (Joseph Milan) head of the local chapter of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). It seems that the body of 20 year old Seamus Carney has been discovered in a bog ten years after his murder. He is one of sixteen men and women defectors known as “the disappeared” whom the IRA murdered in cold blood. Father Horrigan is the brother of the widow, Caitlin Carney (Laura Rauh) who has lived these past ten years with her son Oisin (Ethan Monaghan) with Quinn Carney (Dan Zalevsky) who is Seamus’ brother. Quinn has a wife Mary (Rebecca Moseley) who has suffered for years with a mysterious “virus” that keeps her semi-bedridden.

The couple has seven children that include “JJ” (Nick Hassan), Nunu (Claire Zalevsky), Shena (Lucy Dolzine), Mercy (Margot L. Payne), Honor (Isabella Disantis), Bobby (Penelope Kinder) and oldest son Michael (Jacob M. Shean). Also living in the crowded household is Aunt Pat (Nanna Ingvarsson), Uncle Pat (Bo Smith), Aunt Maggie Far Away (Molly McFadden) There is also field hand Tom Kettle (Aaron Elersich) who lives in a shed on the property. He is English and was “adopted” by the family when found abandoned as a small child.

It is the fall of 1981 and time to harvest the 50 acres of crops that will be shipped to Poland as pig feed. Joining the family for the harvest are the nephews Corcoran: Shane (Samuel Roter), Diarmaid (Nathan Miller) and Declan (Theodore Sluzewski).

Quinn was a one time member of the IRA but left when he inherited the farm. Seamus’ death may have been a result of this defection. Father Horrigan has been dispatched to the Carney household to announce the death and to see that no more problems for the IRA arise from this discovery.

One word that comes to mind for this production is how well choreographed the cast is. With twenty-one members filling the stage they somehow do it without bumping into one another. Add to this mix a live rabbit, live goose and live baby and it makes for an interesting show indeed. Tempers flare and situations appear due directly to a country that is basically at war with itself. It is a microcosm of the country itself as members of the family try to come to grips with over whelming tragedy.

As for the cast, they are terrific. You truly believe you are watching a family being family with all the turbulence that large groups of relations suffer with. Dan Zalevsky as Quinn is the patriarch holding unquestionable sway on his household. Nanna Ingvarsson and Bo Smith as Aunt Pat and Uncle Pat add some comic relief but with a sharp political edge. Then there is Molly McFadden as Aunt Maggie Far Away whom everyone cares for and from time to time returns to reality only to slip back into dementia as the children gently say goodbye. Aaron Elersich as Tom Kettle as the simple soul who despite his mental state is still a prized worker. Other notables are David Bugher as the put upon Father Horrigan and Joseph Milan as the militant Muldoon who both deliver exceptional roles.

The show is brilliantly co-directed by Ian Wolfgang Hinz and Rebecca Moseley with Assistant Director Claudia Lief. The well lived in stage design is by Ian Hinz who also designed the lighting. Costumes are by Jill Kenderes who nails it.

Combine a harvest day in 1981 Ireland, lots of craic, “The Troubles” and a huge robust family dealing with life and death and you will have three hours of solid entertainment. You will be gobsmacked when you see this production that is sure to sell out. Be forewarned that there is lots of portrayed adult language and drinking (especially by the underage cast members) as well as live critters and a baby on stage.

Ensemble Theatre’s production of “The Ferryman” will be on stage in the Marinello Little Theatre at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio through October 18, 2026. For more information and to order tickets go to http://www.ensembletheatrecle.org or call (216) 321-2930.