Review: OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at Everyman Theatre is a Holiday Treat

There is no question 'tis the season for everything Irish. After a wonderful eight day journey to Ireland in October (with a trip to see the world premiere of the Irish play SHIBBOLETH at the Abbey Theatre), the wonderful Irish play NIGHT ALIVE at the Round House Theatre, and now thanks to Everyman Theatre's Artistic Director Vince Lancisi, we have entertaining OUTSIDE MULLINGAR which takes place on a cattle and sheep farm near Killucan, Ireland (which is outside Mullingar).

Written by John Patrick Shanley, responsible for the hit film "Moonstruck" and the 2005 Tony-winning and Pulitzer Prize winning play DOUBT, Shanley once again demonstrates his prowess for great scripts. Lancisi read it and fell in love with it. According to Director Hicken, "I was sent the script and...I just loved it!! It was so funny, I was laughing out loud as I first read the script. It's a really unique love story, which I find very appealing."

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR was presented on Broadway last year starring Brian F. O'Bryne (DOUBT) and television star Debra Messing.

As you enter the theater you are welcomed to traditionally lovely Irish music to set the mood (original music by Sound Designer Phillip Owen). On opening night, the lovely Irish countryside displayed on painted wood planks gave way to an the Irish country kitchen which glided on the stage (brilliant work once again by Everyman's Resident Set Designer, Daniel Ettinger). The superb lighting is by Jesse Belsky and the costumes are by Ben Argenta Kress (check out the boots worn).

The play flies by in 90 minutes no intermission You can bring your Guinness with you inside the theater.

On my trip to Ireland, we were treated to how peat (cut from the land) is used as firewood and we even got a chance to smell and touch it. As Lancisi commented in the program, "You can practically smell the peat fire and rain. There's something warm, even magical about this play." I couldn't agree more.

There is isn't much action in OUTSIDE MULLINGAR. What there is, however, is plenty of blarney. And it is so much fun to hear in fabulous Irish accents (assisted by Dialect Coach, Gary Logan).

Hicken has assembled a superb cast of four. There are two Everyman Resident Company Members, the multi-talented Beth Hylton and the one, the only, Will Love (I can't believe I've seen him in 31 productions at Baltimore's Center Stage). Love has done his fair share of Irish plays but the most memorable is his role in Everyman's THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN where he played Johnnypateenmike.

The other cast members are the amazing Helen Hedman (also a veteran of INISHMAAN). This is her fourth production at Everyman and I'm sure she'll. be back soon.

The fourth actor is the talented Tim Getman (this is his fourth Everyman production). I will never forget his riveting performance in the Irish play THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE at the Signature Theatre.

With this coterie of actors, audiences are assured of an unforgettable evening of theater.

The play involves two households and their two respective two farms which are next to each other. The opening scene takes place in Tony Reilly's (Love) kitchen and Aoife Muldoon (Hedman), his neighbor, has just buried her husband Christopher who owned the neighboring farm. Tony, like Rosemary, has lost his wife, and they reminisce about their respective losses and their conversation is just plain hilarious. For example, when talking about their future Tony says to Aoife "You'll be dead within a year." He then in his deadpan manner adds, "Me? I'll be dead within two months."

Each of them have one child. Tony has Anthony (Getman), a 42 year-old hard-working son who runs the farm almost by himself. Anthony is cursed that will not be revealed until the end. When the inevitable discussion about inheritance begins, Tony hints he might pass the farm to Anthony's American cousin when he dies and leave his son the proceeds.

Tony realizes there is a problem with his title to the farm which may be in impediment in a future sale. The mistake Tony made early on concerns his sale of a "right-of-way" or "access" to the Reilly farm that he made to his neighbor which may make the sale of the farm difficult. Due to this, the Reillys must pass through gates owned by the Muldoons to get to their home. But Shanley adds a little unknown fact that Tony is unaware of. The owner of this small piece of land belongs to Aoife's daughter Rosemary (Hylton), who at the beginning of the play is smoking a pipe on the porch while Tony and Aoife are talking in the kitchen. Rosemary has a grudge which goes back to when she was 6 and was knocked down by Anthony when he was 13 and she will not under "any" circumstances sell her small parcel back to the Reillys due to that ancient event.

After the deaths of Tony and Aoife, Anthony and Rosemary are left to go on with their respective lives as neighbors and well, remember I mentioned it was a "romantic" comedy? The repartee they engender is so entertaining. I will not spoil it for you.

Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun picked OUTSIDE MULLINGAR as one of the five Best Plays of 2015.

I was also pleased to see the Washington Post's Nelson Pressley make the trek to Baltimore and gave OUTSIDE MULLIGER a great review.

Learn more about the world of OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at www.everymantheatre.org where you can learn about the history of MULLINGAR...like that Bruce Springsteen has roots in Mullingar and to learn more about romantic comedies through the ages.

Make sure to check out Everyman's new Gift Shop located on the mezzanine where Everyman partners with local artists to recycle costumes used in their productions. Brilliant idea.

Everyman also revealed that FENCES was best selling play in Everyman history.

Next up is UNDER THE SKIN running from January 20 to Feb. 21, 2016. Written by Michael Hollinger (author of the terrific OPUS), this will be the play's only second presentation. Lancisi directs.

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR runs until January 10, 2016. On Dec. 28 there will be "Nightcap Chats" and on Dec. 29, "Cast Conversations". For tickets call 410-752-2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org.

THIS AND THAT

DVR ALERT:

The Kennedy Center Honors will be televised on Tuesday night, Dec. 29 from 9 to 11 p.m. honoring Rita Moreno, Cicely Tyson, Carole King, George Lucas, and Seiji Ozawa.

For Moreno, Lin-Manuel Miranda will offer a spoken tribute and Karen Olivo will dance to "America".

For Ozawa, Itzhak Perlman and Renee Fleming will speak and Yo-Yo Ma will perform.

For George Lucas, there will be themes from "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars" performed by the Kennedy Center Honors Orchestra along with guests, Carrie Fisher, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese. Look for C-3PO, R2-D2 and Storm Troopers as well.

For Cicely Tyson, guests include Tyler Perry, Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, and CeCe Winans.

For Carole King, guests include James Taylor and Aretha Franklin.

I'm happy to report the following hit musicals have been extended:

KISS ME KATE at the Shakespeare Theatre Company to January 3, 2016.

WEST SIDE STORY at the Signature Theatre to January 31, 2016.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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