The Beauty Queen of Leenan
Playwright: Martin McDonagh At: Shattered Globe Theatre at Athenaeum Theatre Studio 2, 2936 N. Southport. Phone: 800-982-2787; $25-$32. Runs through: Feb. 27
Port
Playwright: Simon Stephens. At: Griffin Theatre at Raven Studio Theatre, 6157 N. Clark. Phone: 800-838-3006; $22-$32. Runs through: Feb. 26
Heroines longing to break free from their bleak surroundings are a common thread in two recently opened Chicago storefront theater productions: The American premiere of British playwright Simon Stephens' drama Port by Griffin Theatre, and in Martin McDonagh's modern ( and upsettingly violent ) Irish classic The Beauty Queen of Leenane staged by a resurrected Shattered Globe Theatre.
Griffin previously staged Stephens' Olivier Award-winning On the Shore of the Wide World a few years back, and the company's back for another look at the lower working class end of British society with Port ( short for the economically depressed English town Stockport ) .
Stephens focuses on the life of Rachel Keats ( Caroline Neff ) , who starts the drama as a 12-year-old sensing that she and her troubled younger brother, Billy ( Joey DeBettencourt ) , are about to be abandoned by their mother ( Cyd Blakewell ) . Port then depicts select turning points in Rachel's life as she becomes a young woman torn about trying to make the "right" decision while keenly aware that life's deck has been stacked against her.
Director Jonathan Berry helms a very adept cast that intensely plays multiple roles and delivers believable North English accents ( a great credit to dialect coach Elise Kauzlaric ) . Though Berry wisely utilizes the symbolic device of Rachel's absent mother handing her props to foreshadow her not always wise decisions, playwright Stephens leaves out some vital scenes ( particularly Rachel's decision to marry the violently jealous Kevin of John Byrnes ) which only makes Port a slightly unsatisfying slog despite the top-notch performances.
Though much bleaker plot-wise, Shattered Globe's Beauty Queen of Leenane is a much more satisfying experience ( It's also great to welcome back this company that officially disbanded last year before key company members brought it back to life ) .
Director Steve Scott skillfully oversees a strong quartet of actors who wrench out all the resentment and pettiness needed for McDonagh's crackling Irish drama.
Eileen Niccolai and Linda Reiter are respectively and ferociously matched as daughter Maureen and mother Mag in a spiteful battle of wills. Reiter is particularly malevolent as she deliberately spoils her daughter's romantic chances, while Niccolai is terrifying as she methodically ( and violently ) snaps.
Kevin Viol perfectly captures the agitated impatience of the hyper young man Ray. Joseph Wiens is quite good as the love interest Pato, though he a tad too baby faced to fully convince in the role.
In these bleak midwinter months, some might think it odd that both Griffin and Shattered Globe would offer up such gloomy works. But you can take some consolation that ( hopefully ) your life is going better than those poor souls struggling for any shred of happiness onstage.