The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance presented “Under the Marquee,” its eighth annual recital production, on May 18. A packed house in the main auditorium at Newtown High School enjoyed the performances.

The students on Saturday danced to the music of many of Broadway’s most famous productions including Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, The Sound of Music, We Will Rock You, and Grease, among others.

The recital also represented a night of celebration since many of the Academy’s students won medals in the North American Irish Dance Championships, held in Nashville, Tenn.

Two students were also recognized as World Qualifiers. Trey Ruffles of Danbury and Piper Normand of Canton qualified in December to compete at the World Irish Dance Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, earlier this year.

Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance has been in existence for eight years in Newtown on Simm Lane. It is directed by former Riverdance and Lord of the Dance stars Craig Ashurst and Christina Dolzall-Ashurst of Newtown. Both were highly successful competitive dancers themselves, collectively holding many regional, national, and international titles.