BWW Reviews: MULLINGAR OF OUR MINDS

One of the worst onuses that may be put upon a person is the necessity to say silent when there is really so much to be said - to stay silent, assuming there is no spoken word to change the situation at hand. The world is made up of such circumstances: stories of people who are so consumed with the consequences of their actions that they limit their decisions to affect their own lives, not allowing those around them to exercise such choice in the matter, or perhaps of those who are in love but may never find the "correct" outlet through which to convey those feelings to those they feel for. What I speak of here is not the beginnings of a romance or a tale of woe and missed chances; to say that would be too simple, dwelling only on the superficial and lacking that profundity people in quandaries greater than that seem to have such an unfortunate understanding of. Instead, it concerns people who have harbored such immense feelings of love and fear within their hearts that they have become almost complaisant, accepting their realities as unchanging but hardly allowing themselves to understand why this is.

So saying, the plot of John Patrick Shanley's Outside Mullingar shows just disheartening it is when four characters are discovered to have been strangers for so long due to those undisclosed feelings that have eaten away at their souls for so long; when the time for changes arises, the obstacles which arise and the way in which each character reacts makes this such an epic story. How disheartening it is for four people to have lived over the last few years with the "what is" as the unchanging doctrine of their reality, living in anticipation of something that may or may not come and meandering in this life until fate sticks her ugly hand in to change the bleak, unmoving world that such characters inhabit. Yet, how beautiful it is to see four wildly talented actors bring such inner turmoil to a head in Cape Rep's current production of Shanley's epic play. They adeptly show what it is like to live in a world that is "outside Mullingar," and identifying Mullingar as a state of mind, makes audiences bear witness to what a relief it is to watch an entire existential crisis unfold (and ultimately fix itself) on stage.

Directed by Daisy Walker, who clearly had a solid vision of what how she wanted this show to be, Shanley's Tony-nominated play Outside Mullingar makes its regional premiere as part of Cape Rep's 30th season - a season that, as were those before it, which has so far proven itself to be quite a success. Boasting both an indoor and outdoor one (the latter the only outdoor theater on Cape Cod) and numerous shows for children and adults alike, it goes without saying (although I need to reiterate here) that each of Cape Rep's productions is simply inspiring; there is always something to take away from each production, and choosing this play by Shanley (who is responsible for such works as Doubt and Moonstruck) no doubt reinforces this idea.

Outside Mullingar, which takes place in the Irish countryside in the near present, is fundamentally about four people who are so jaded from living in the present that anticipation of the future and what will come, should God allow, is what they truly live for; in the meantime, though, there is much that needs to be said before anyone is allowed to both physically and mentally move on.

Tony Reilly (played by Dennis Cunningham) is relentless in his criticism of his son Anthony Reilly (Damian Baldet*), ascertaining once and for all that his son will never find a suitable woman to marry and therefore should and will not receive the family's farm upon his passing; in addition, Tony does not believe Anthony to be enough like him to find suitable worth in his son.

Anthony, meanwhile, has dedicated himself to the upkeep of that farm for the majority of his forty years, and does not understand why his father should not bequeath it to him. Even though he has not done this work with "joy" in his heart (for which he is also berated), does this mean, as Anthony questions, that he is any less of a person? This inquiry seems to permeate as a theme throughout the rest of play as Rosemary Muldoon (Alison Weller*) and her mother (Julie Allen Hamilton) mourn over the loss of a father and husband in the Reilly's kitchen. Time passes, and what pursues from there is quick paced discussion that transforms into arguments over small patches of land and then culminates in this absolutely beautiful, heartfelt and quite unexpected "happenstance" between Rosemary and Anthony that is the epitome of this show.

Again, this show is not about missed circumstances, but those that cannot be planned (only anticipated with an undying and at times foolish sense of hope) and happen when, after years of waiting and anticipating and hiding the mental anguish and uncertainty, the time is right and as it should. What may seem like neglect or indifference on one person's behalf may truly be something else, and what happens between these two characters, without revealing too much, is simply stunning; it is an interaction so full of uninhibited love and understanding between two people who were always at odds with each other that every person in that audience wishes such a thing could happen to them.

Rosemary and Anthony have each harbored a secret within their hearts for the last three years, and though the reasons why they could not have come together to reveal them are different, the end result and feelings are the same, and to just have that chance to explain what is in someone's heart for so long to another is one of the most palpable and unbelievable chances that not everyone is allowed; if you want to witness the true beauty of this story, at least come to watch these two actors explain themselves away with such beauty and freedom the audience feels its own heartstrings being tugged.

Just to touch a bit upon the wonderful acting in this show, it is just that: wonderful. Cunningham is as funny as he is serious, and although his tirades against his son are relentless and somewhat mean in nature, the man he becomes towards his end and that transformation from one kind of father to another is simply amazing. Julie Allen Hamilton is the same, as her character shares Reilly's need and understanding to be gone from this world soon, and embraces it simultaneously with the same humor and serious nature that makes their characters both so "there" in the moment, even when not talking about any one moment in particular. As I've already touched upon, Baldet and Weller (who are actually Cape Rep company members) are brilliant, and they work that ending as if they wrote it themselves. There is something offbeat about seeing them together at first, but between Baldet's rather hesitant and uncomfortable portrayal of Tony Reilly and Weller's strength, watching the two of them come together after everything that has happened is really awesome. How each of them portrays his/her character is spot on, and their banter and back and forth verbal combat culminates with this sweet, sweet ending that only these two could have pulled off with such feeling.

So, what Shanley's play teaches us is that life is honestly full of surprises, and what people cannot do themselves must be left to fate, which in some shape or form must hopefully show itself in the long run. It is a love story, yes, but one that also saves lives, and what better way to end a show with what we at least hope will be a happy ending? All I can say is that this show should be seen at least once, as everything about it is brilliant.

Outside Mullingar began performances at Cape Rep (located at 3299 Route 6A in Brewster) on June 25th and will continue its run until July 25th. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday's through Thursday's at 7 p.m., Friday's and Saturday's at 8 p.m.; there will not be a performance on July 4th. Tickets are $28 and may be purchased by either visiting the box office, calling (508) 896. 1888 or by visiting the group's website, www.caperep.org. Also be on the lookout for the next group of shows to appear on Cape Rep's stage - these include Evita, A Cloud of Canvas by Art Devine (9 Ball) and La Cage Aux Folles.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Bob Tucker/Focalpoint Studio

To post a comment, you must register and login.