Outside Mullingar

By John Patrick Shanley

Directed by Doug Hughes

Originally produced at Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, NY.

January 13, 2014 through March 16, 2014

About the Premiere Production

(Outside Mullingar is published by TCG Books.)

Tony winner Brían F. O’Byrne (Frozen, Doubt, Million Dollar Baby) and Emmy winner Debra Messing (“Will & Grace,” "Smash," Collected Stories) play Anthony and Rosemary, two introverted misfits straddling 40. Anthony has spent his entire life on a cattle farm in rural Ireland, a state of affairs that—due to his painful shyness—suits him well. Rosemary lives right next door, determined to have him, watching the years slip away. With Anthony’s father threatening to disinherit him and a land feud simmering between their families, Rosemary has every reason to fear romantic catastrophe. But then, in this very Irish story with a surprising depth of poetic passion, these yearning, eccentric souls fight their way towards solid ground and some kind of happiness. Their journey is heartbreaking, funny as hell, and ultimately deeply moving.

Artistic Statement

MTC is honored to welcome back Pulitzer, Oscar, and Tony Award-winning writer John Patrick Shanley with the world premiere of Outside Mullingar, his tenth play with our company. We have always believed in Shanley’s talent which is best demonstrated by our passionate commitment to commission and produce Shanley’s work time and again. Most notable is MTC’s landmark production of Doubt which first premiered at New York City Center, then transferred to the Walter Kerr Theatre, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards including Best Play for Shanley and Best Director of a Play for Doug Hughes. This romantic comedy set in Ireland will once again showcase Shanley’s keen talent for delicate and moving storytelling, and MTC is thrilled to have assembled an exciting team of talents for the world premiere. This includes director Doug Hughes and actor Brían F. O’Byrne, who last collaborated on MTC’s Tony winning production of Doubt in 2000. We are also delighted to welcome back Debra Messing in her Broadway debut. Ms. Messing appeared in MTC’s 1997 New York premiere of Donald Margulies’ Collected Stories, and Paul Rudnick’s 1994 play The Naked Truth.

Grant Statement

Outside Mullingar was originally written as a one act play that was presented by LAByrinth Theatre Company’s Barn Series. MTC’s Artistic staff immediately saw the one act’s potential to be further developed, and encouraged Mr. Shanley’s desire to expand his script. The narrative of a single scene eventually evolved into a full-length play. An additional week of rehearsal will be vital in allowing both the playwright and director the space to take creative risks and hone the expansions to the story. We look forward to the interesting discoveries that will be made with the extra time given to better prepare this work.

Director: Doug Hughes

Set Design: John Lee Beatty

Lighting Design: Mark McCullough

Sound Design: Fitz Patton

Costume Design: Catherine Zuber

Original Music: Fitz Patton

Dialect Coach: Stephen Gabis

Additional Funders: Outside Mullingar was commissioned through the U.S. Trust New American Play Commissioning Program.

Subsequent Productions

Northlight Theatre

Skokie, IL

March 13 - April 19, 2015

News

Best Play Tony Award nominations: 'Act One,' 'All the Way,' 'Casa Valentina,' 'Mothers and Sons,' and 'Outside Mullingar

Breaking News, April 29, 2014

Northlight to produce 'Outside Mullingar'

Chicago Tribune, March 31, 2014