‘Outside Mullingar’ centers on romance between neighbors
Dayton Theatre Guild opens season with local premiere.
The local premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s 20 14 Tony Award-nominated romantic comedy “Outside Mullingar” opens the Dayton Theatre Guild’s 71st season beginning Friday.
Set in rural Ireland over the course of five years, “Outside Mullingar” is an intimate, humorous and poignant look at fortysomething neighbors primarily coping with old wounds from property matters set in place by their rival families. Even so, as affection comes to the surface amid loss, Anthony Reilly, unsure to love again having been scorned, and Rosemary Muldoon, determined to crack Anthony’s emotional shell, ultimately realize the power of their attraction.
“Anthony and Rosemary are not the typical romantic comedy couple,” said director David Shough, who staged an excellent production of “An Inspector Calls” for the Guild last season. “As they find themselves, as Anthony puts it, ‘at the head of the line’ after their parents pass on, they both know they will end up together but don’t know how to take that final step. Rosemary is certain of their future but knows she can’t force Anthony to move. Anthony is shy, fearful and believes he is somehow a bit mad. They both rely on fate to Dave Nickel, Mike Beerbower, Teresa Connair and Connie Strait (from left) comprise the cast of the Dayton Theatre Guild’s production of John Patrick Shanley’s 2014 Tony Award-nominated romantic comedy “Outside Mullingar.” bring them together, but they keep reading the signs wrong. At times you want to just slap them, but mostly you just smile watching them find each other in the same way, perhaps, we all eventually do, if we’re extremely lucky.”
“Anthony is a great character to play,” said Mike Beerbower, who will make his Guild debut having impressed in the Dayton Playhouse FutureFest production of “The Paymaster” last season. “Anthony is a bit awkward, and I think that almost everyone can understand the feelings he has — thinking that you’re broken somehow, and fearing you’ll end up alone because of it. Anthony is seeking his place in the world, and finding out that maybe everyone’s a bit mad, and that you don’t have to be alone. It’s a great journey to go on as an actor. I think it’s a really wonderful script. The emotions are real, the humor is unforced.”
Teresa Connair, founder of the emerging troupe U ndercroft Players, portrays amusing, feisty Rosemary, a woman she enjoys embodying due to the character’s strength and single-mindedness.
“Rosemary knows what will be and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure no one ‘bungles that,’” Connair said. “Many of us have something that could be defined at as a passion in our lives. Something we are willing to fight for, work for and wait for. That’s what makes Rosemary’s journey something with which others can connect.”
“This play has so many beautiful elements,” Shough said. “It is a love story that seems as unlikely as it is inevitable (with) great humor, the melodic Irish accent and turn of phrase, and characters who will tug at even the hardest heart.”
The cast also includes Dave Nickel as Anthony’s father Tony and Connie Strait as Rosemary’s mother Aoife. Chris Newman particularly serves as scenic designer. Shanley notably received an Academy Award for his 1987 screenplay for “Moonstruck” and the Tony and Pulitzer Prize for his acclaimed 20 0 4 drama “Doubt:A Parable.”
70th anniversary
In related news, the Guild will celebrate its 70 th anniversary Saturday, Aug. 29. The festivities will be held at the Guild beginning at 7 p.m., with cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres. The ceremony, featuring various reflections from Guild members and patrons within the local theater community, will follow at 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.