New Shanley play opens in Sarasota
John Patrick Shanley is one of America's finest playwrights, and "Outside Mullingar" is regarded as one of his finest plays. It's next up from Sarasota's Florida Studio Theatre.
Theatre-goers think of Shanley as the Pulitzer prize-winning author of "Doubt: A Parable." Others know his work from his Oscar-winning screenplay for "Moonstruck" and from the film version of "Doubt," which he also directed.
"Outside Mullingar" is his latest stage work. It had a limited, but critically applauded Broadway run in 2014, starring Debra Messing, and Shanley's script was nominated for a Tony Award. The play is set in rural Ireland. The story revolves around two farmers, Anthony and Rosemary, who live next to each other. Rosemary has had a crush on Anthony for her entire life Anthony is introverted and is oblivious to Rosemary's affections.
The new production is directed by Kate Alexander, FST associate director. It's a comedy, but Alexander said it has themes that resound deeply.
"When we think we know everything and everyone around us, a surprise comes crashing in, and there it is, 'Life', to take us in a new direction, and we have the opportunity to change," she said.
Details: Feb. 5-march 27, Gompertz Theatre at Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Show times: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $25-$39. Information: 941-366-9000, floridastudiotheatre.org Tickets: $25-$39.
-- Marty Clear
This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 1:59 PM with the headline "New Shanley play opens in Sarasota ."