‘Outside Mullingar’ review: John Patrick Shanley’s charming romantic comedy lights up The Dio
Courtesy of Michele Anliker Photography
The last John Patrick Shanley play to hit The Dio stage was an engrossing and searing look at the perils of faith and the unknown. It pitted a renowned priest against a nun who dared question his intent in the Wilde award-winning production of “Doubt.” Now comes “Outside Mullingar,” which, in spirit, captures the same type of existential tug-of-war about one’s God-given purpose—albeit under much different circumstances. The result is a breezy, 1-hour and 45-minute, intermission-free romantic comedy, featuring a quartet of performers who bring Shanley’s words to life under the direction of Steve DeBruyne, with scenic and lighting design by Matt Tomich.
“Outside Mullingar” is set in the Midlands of Ireland circa 2008, revolving around a turf war between two family farms that sit almost on top of one another. The play follows Anthony Reilly (the wonderful Peter Crist) and Rosemary Muldoon (a magnetic Sarah Stevens), who are obviously destined to be together. When the show begins, however, they are both single, each caring for a surviving parent and wondering what the future holds. For Anthony, he has spent his life working the fields, hoping to hold onto his family’s heritage, even though his father, Tony Reilly (Adrian Diffey), would rather sell the farm to his cousin Adam, who lives in New York City. For Rosemary, her mission is to help Anthony recover from a recent breakup and somehow convince him to return her affections.
In any other setting, this might sound a bit contrived, but Shanley is wise to place the characters in a remote, isolated location where Anthony and Rosemary don’t have a plethora of dating options. Much credit goes to Crist and Stevens, who make their bickering and bantering both entertaining and relatable. Watching them beat around the bush, challenging each other, and wrestling with their characters’ futures is a pleasure. Anyone who has faced a major crossroads in life will surely relate to the pressures they feel, both direct and indirect. You can see these decisions weighing on both Rosemary and Anthony, thanks to the performances of Stevens and Crist. Should Anthony keep working the farm, or should he pack up and leave Mullingar for greener pastures?
Shanley has explored tricky relationships before, having won an Oscar for “Moonstruck,” and he injects that same charm here. It helps that Stevens and Crist anchor DeBruyne’s production so effectively. Anthony is a lowly, awkward guy, yet there's an earnestness about him that makes him easy to root for. In contrast, Rosemary is stubborn and tough-as-nails, unafraid to speak her mind, and ultimately the one who breaks Anthony out of his shell.
Meanwhile, Diffey and Fran Potasnik deliver wonderful supporting performances as Anthony’s cranky but quick-witted father and Rosemary’s lovably frank mother. In an early scene, these two seasoned actors mirror their younger counterparts, often lamenting about the opportunities life offers and how “time is in short supply,” especially after Anthony’s mother recently passed away. It’s a thoughtful observation that, while not as dramatically charged as “Doubt,” adds a poignant layer of commentary on the human spirit and exemplifies an endearing father-son relationship. These moments help “Outside Mullingar” earn its stripes and drown out the forgettable 2020 film “Wild Mountain Thyme” which was adapted from this play.
Costumes by Norma Polk are well-worn, adding
vibrancy, while Tomich’s lighting design brings a subtle, tasteful touch to the production. In a first for The Dio, Tomich incorporates projections and LED displays into the scenery in a way that enhances the mood without being flashy. This subtle inclusion helps round out what feels like a warm, comforting production.
Speaking of firsts, The Dio has also swapped its usual house salad appetizer for a delicious, homemade tomato bisque soup (at least for the winter shows). Much like the production itself, my compliments to the chef.
THE DIO’S production of OUTSIDE MULLINGAR continues through March 9th. Tickets, which include a three-course dinner and non-alcoholic beverage, can be purchased here.