1-12-JR-BeautyQueen

Leenane is a little village snugly situated at the head of Killary Harbour in Ireland and a rather unlikely place for a beauty queen. Notwithstanding that, Martin McDonagh’s gripping story of abuse and hate explodes with brutal realism in The Production Company’s first offering of the year. If artistic directors August Viverito and T L Kolman were architects they would probably make the next Taj Mahal. Instead they have carefully built this 1998 heavily Tony honored story with precisely crafted scenes that evolve from a mere family wrangle to a ferocious climax that makes you avert your gaze, lest you witness an unspeakable inhumanity.	Ferrell Marshall - Alex Egan - Judy Nazemetz
The Beauty Queen is Maureen Folan, a 40 year old spinster who lives with and cares for her 70 year old mother, a manipulative woman who has made a point of derailing every relationship Maureen may have had. Pato Dooley is a middle age construction worker who stays in England because that’s where the jobs are, but in a visit to Leenane he connects with Maureen (hence the Beauty Queen compliment) and after a night together they seem to bond, but he has to return to work in a couple of days and promises to write, obviously setting the path for a future liaison. Judy Nazemetz is superb as she creates a portrait of Mag Folan that makes her the “mother you love to hate”. Yet there is a certain guileful charm in her personality, a subtle wickedly sharp humor, an almost impish attitude that can make the audience sympathize with her at times. But Ferrell Marshall is so believable as the frustrated, desperately lonely Maureen that one can understand her deep resentment for her mother who has, essentially, ruined her life. Both women harbor a deep secret from the past, and both constantly inflict pain on each other. The mother by delving into Maureen’s life making sure she never gets what she wants; Maureen retaliates by inflicting physical pain on her mother - vicious, vile pain, like burning her hand on a stove, or pouring scalding water on her wrist.
Clearly, there are mental issues gone awry here, and when Pato Dooley learns about them it is certain that this will change everything for their relationship. Alex Egan shows Dooley as an easy going, good natured laborer who has become frustrated with the monotony of his existence and begins to look for a change in his life. His interest in Maureen seems genuine and could have made a major change in his life if her mother had not interfered. In contrast, his much younger brother Ray, played by Rob Herring, is more aggressive and belligerent. His visits to the Folan house are punctuated with disdain and annoyance, with obvious hostile references to the older woman. His lack of patience leads directly to an incident that permanently affects the lives of Pato and Maureen. (Daniel Halden alternates the role of Ray on designated days).	Rob Herring - Judy Nazemetz
How many times have parents interfered in their children’s lives to the point that they ruin their chances for success or love? How many sons or daughters have genuine hatred for their parents that is so strong that they would resort to extremes to get even? McDonagh’s story is a brilliant exposition of these feelings, and August Viverito’s sensitive direction guides the actors to explore and develop these concepts with remarkable empathy and realism. This play is an absolute tour de force that should be a part of everyone’s “must see” list. If the rest of the year is anything like this, we’re in for a grand season from The Production Company. The production runs through Saturday, February 18, 2012. Call 1-800-838-3006 for reservations. Location: The Lex Theatre - 6760 Lexington Avenue - Los Angeles, CA 90038 www.theprodco.com