April 19, 2017: The Keegan Theatre presents John Patrick Shanley’s OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, opening on May 6, 2017, in Washington, DC. The production is directed by Keegan Producing Artistic Director Mark A. Rhea and runs through May 28, 2017.
“OUTSIDE MULLINGAR is quintessential Keegan,” says Rhea. “It covers subtle, gorgeous terrain within the human heart – and so sharply represents the rural communities and relationships of Ireland. The language is simple and deeply poetic at the same time, and the heartache, joy, and humor that Shanley captures in this intimate story is an incredible accomplishment. We can’t wait to share it with our audiences.”
About the Play:
Rosemary Muldoon and Anthony Reilly live on neighboring farms in rural Ireland, where their families have been involved in a long-running squabble over a patch of land. Although Rosemary has supposedly hated Anthony since she was six years old and he knocked her down, she is, in fact, secretly in love with him. And though Anthony has refused to consider the possibility of love ever since his first girlfriend rejected him when he was 16, he feels things deeply. But in this Irish story with a surprising depth of poetic passion, these awkward would-be lovers struggle through their self-imposed barriers to find some kind of happiness. Their journey is equal parts heartbreaking, funny, and deeply relatable.
“The romantic tension is palpable and delightful!” – LA Weekly
“Sparkling with Shanley’s witty dialogue, both funny and poignant!” -Variety
“A valentine to the wonder and weirdness of love.”- NY Daily News
The OUTSIDE MULLINGAR cast features four Keegan veterans – as well as Helen Hayes nominees and audience favorites — Rena Cherry Brown (August: Osage County), Susan Marie Rhea (An American Daughter), Brandon McCoy (Picasso at the Lapin Agile) and Kevin Adams (An Irish Carol). “We’re delighted to bring Rena and Susan back together — once again as mother and daughter — after their brilliant on-stage dynamic in August: Osage County,” says Rhea. “That’s a special treat for me, to see these two potent women together on stage again. Everything about this process has been a joy, as all four of these actors are so familiar to each other. The collaboration and trust in the rehearsal room just electrifies this piece.”
John Patrick Shanley has written more than 40 plays and 10 screenplays. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for Doubt in 2005, and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Moonstruck” in 1988. He directed and wrote the screenplay for the film version of “Doubt.”
This is Keegan Theatre’s 20th season performing in Washington, DC. The Keegan Theatre produces powerful productions of classic and modern plays and musicals, offered to the community at affordable prices. Our work is fueled by extraordinary artists in an intimate venue, scripts that put real people out there on the stark edges of life, and an approach to the work that honors clear and authentic storytelling.
