BWW Preview: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE at The Usual Place

The relationship between a mother and daughter can be complicated and emotional as demonstrated in the Tony Award-winning play, "The Beauty Queen of Leenane." A Public Fit, an emerging Las Vegas theater organization, is presenting the edgy drama in The Usual Place theater in downtown Las Vegas Feb. 17-March 5.

Set in a small country village in Ireland, a 40-year-old virgin (and caregiver) engages in a power struggle with her devious 70-year-old mother. Along with the edgy and power storyline, the hidden agenda of the characters intrigued director, artistic director and co-founder Ann Marie Pereth. The play explores the depth of emotions, secrets and destructive behavior of the two manipulative women embroiled in a battle of wills. Along with building tensions as two men invade the private war between the two women, passion explodes in unexpected climax. "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" features Joan Mullaney, Mindy Woodhead, Mike Rasmussen and Darren Weller.

"The Beauty Queen of Leenane" premiered in 1996 in Ireland with a run in the West End and off-Broadway before debuting in the Walter Kerr Theater on Broadway in 1998. It received six Tony Award nominations and was awarded four including Best Actor (Tom Murphy), Best Actress (Marie Mullen), Best Supporting Actress (Anna Manahan) and Best Director (Garry Hynes). Hynes became the first female to win Tony Award for directing a play.

Immediately following the performance, A Public Fits invites the audience to attend The Buzzz, a moderated discussion of the play's style, themes and impressions. The Buzzz is an expression of A Public Fit's on-going commitment to audience engagement.

Renovating a empty retail space as a theater as part of the revitalization of downtown neighborhoods, A Public Fit brings Las Vegas artists to create innovative and provocative productions. Those involved with the A Public Fit seeks to create human connection through its productions, stage readings and conversations after the performance.

As explained by Pereth to BroadwayWorld.com, A Public Fit began as a series of play readings in a home. Theatre professionals joined the group and soon grew to creating a theater company and permanent space. Also, A Public Fit pays actors, designers and some other staff members.

"The Beauty Queen of Leenane" by Martin McDonagh and directed by Ann-Marie Pereth will be performed at The Usual Place, 100 S. Maryland Parkway from Feb. 17-March 5. Performances are 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on the weekend. To purchase tickets, click here.

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