Animosities Soon Drizzle Away

Outside Mullingar – Citadel Theatre

John Patrick Shanley (the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Moonstruck” and the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright of “Doubt”) has written a tightly constructed, charmingly romantic fable about four stubborn people and, ultimately, the power of love. Set in rural Ireland, the story, inspired by the playwright’s Irish cousins, revolves around two neighboring, elderly adults and their 40-something offspring. It’s about a farm, about the relationship between these two dwindling families and about how loneliness can be sent packing when love is invited into one’s life.

Aoife Muldoon has just buried her husband Chris, and she and her neighbor and friend Tony Reilly are reminiscing about family and future over a cup of tea. Rosemary Muldoon, Aoife’s daughter, is outside the farmhouse enjoying a smoke in the rain when Anthony, Tony’s shy adult son, steps outside to reluctantly pay his respects. Words are exchanged and memories are ignited. 

A few years pass and both parents have left this world. As time marches on, Anthony eventually pays Rosemary a visit. It’s the first time in forever since he’s been inside his neighbor’s home, but the years and animosities drizzle away like the continually falling rain outside. Reluctant admissions, private confessions and heartfelt declarations are made and, as one would hope, the play ends happily.

Shanley’s one-act comic drama is a tart, little slice of warm soda bread, with just a dollop of sweet butter melting into its nooks and crannies. It’s a simple, sympathetic story about two lonely people who finally open their hearts, bare their souls and discover that, after many years of avoidance, they complete each other. It’s an unpretentious little play that could take place almost anywhere, but is made more beautiful being told in its Irish lilt.

Beth Wolf has directed this irresistibly idyllic and deceptively rich play with heart and reverence. As unaffected as Shanley’s play, Eric Luchen’s set is rustic and uncluttered, easily shifting from one home to the other, with a couple lovely moments set in the rain, outside the Reilly barn. Cindy Moon has designed a wardrobe of realistic costumes for her cast. Stefanie M. Senior’s moody sound design helps create the right ambience, enhanced by Samuel Stephens’ subtle lighting. 

Ross Frawley, so perfect in Citadel’s delightful productions of “Enchanted April” and “The Boarding House,” is excellent as Anthony. His ability to convey vulnerability and yearning in a masculine physique that belies such sensitivity is a tribute to this actor’s talent. Mr. Frawley creates a giant man-child, who easily earns the audience’s empathy and hope. Making her Citadel debut, Laura Leonardo Ownby is unflinchingly stalwart and determined as Rosemary. In this short 90-minute story, the audience watches a headstrong, almost icy young woman gradually evolve into a smart, driven young woman, who’s still hopeful for romance. In Ms Ownby’s plucky portrayal we see a young person who finally learns to give in to her emotions. Together these two actors bring to life a pair of lonely people, for whom the audience cheers.

Chicago veteran actor Jack Hickey brings a crusty stubbornness to Tony Reilly. Knowing that his son’s future is financially secure, Tony’s more concerned about where the family farm will go when he leaves this world. Although he would love his neighbor’s daughter Rosemary and his son Anthony united and their farms combined, Tony doesn’t see this realistically happening. In a final attempt to persuade Anthony, Tony confesses that when he first got married he wasn’t in love with his wife. That came later. 

Susan Hofflander has been charming audiences in character roles all over Chicagoland. As Aoife Muldoon, Ms Hofflander plays an elderly widow who cares deeply about the futures of her daughter, her neighbor and his son, as well as about the land. In Ireland, it seems to always be about the land and inheritance. Susan is tough and truthful in this role, with a dry wit and a succinct outspokenness. She deeply loves her unruly daughter in spite of everything Rosemary says and does. The relationship between the two mature adults forms the catalyst for the journey that the younger couple will eventually make.

John Patrick Shanley’s autobiographical play is a charming, bittersweet slice of life. Set in rural Ireland, this little fable about loneliness and love, family and friends, makes a rewarding evening filled with warmth, humor and hope. Despite the play’s ever-falling Irish rain, this tender little story will bring a ray of welcome sunshine to Citadel theatergoers.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 11-March 13 by Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 847-735-8554, or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.