'Outside Mullingar' starting MAT run tonight

Montana Actors' Theatre is bringing a story from Ireland to Havre.

The troupe's production of John Patrick Shanley's "Outside Mullingar" starts at 8 p.m. tonight in the Little Theatre in Montana State University's Cowan Hall.

MAT describes the play as "an unforgettable theatrical experience ... a captivating play that will sweep you off your feet and transport you to the lush, rolling hills of Ireland. Set in the charming rural town of Mullingar, Ireland, the story revolves around the lives of two neighboring families, the Reillys and the Muldoons. You'll follow the endearing journey of Anthony and Rosemary, two introverted souls bound by family ties and secrets, as they navigate the bumpy road to love. With humor, tenderness, and a dash of Irish whimsy, this play explores the complexities of human connection and the beauty of finding love in unexpected places."

MAT Artistic Director Grant Olson, who plays Anthony Reilly in the production, said he thinks it fits in well for this region.

"I first saw the play in Tucson, Arizona, in 2018 and what struck me about the play was that - although  it is set in Ireland - it seemed to me like a story of the Hi-Line," he said. "This play deals with family legacy in younger generations' relationship to family farms. This play speaks to how neighbors on farms and ranches interact - how they can be best of friends but still hold onto grudges from their grandparents' generations. This is also a crazy love story about people that don't quite know where they fit in the world."

Olson said the playwright, Stanley, is probably best-known for his play "Doubt" that was turned into a film with Meryl Streep and also won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

"So the script (for "Outside Mullinger") is top-notch," Olson said. "It is a very lyrical script, but also very truthful."

He added that MAT's production has a veteran cast, with Michael Stevenson as Tony Reilly, Samantha Pollington as Rosemary Muldoon, Anjanett Hawk as Aoife Muldoon as well as himself as Anthony Reilly.

"People will remember Anjanett Hawk from several MAT productions including last year's 'August: Osage County,'" Olson said, adding, "Michael Stevenson has been acting in Havre since the 1960s. He was Pulitzer in 'Newsies' and last year was also in 'August: Osage County.' 

"Samantha Pollington has acted in more than 30 MAT productions in both Havre and Missoula and was most recently in the 'Hill Country Revue,'" he continued. "She also appeared in 'August: Osage County.'"

Olson said the show only runs about 90 minutes.

The play also is being produced Saturday and April 18-20 and 25-27, with the show starting at 8 p.m. each day.