The Beauty Queen of Leenane presented by Bluebird Arts at Athenaeum Theatre

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...The amazing thing about Irish playwright Martin McDonagh's 1996 black comedy, here directed by Luda Lopatina Solomon for Bluebird Arts, is how it lulls you into a false sense of security-one minute you're laughing, the next you're cringing, as moments of tenderness are quickly outdone by grisly betrayals. The script is a wonderful balance of contrasts, and this cast knows how to interpret them, particularly Gray and Harris, who bring out McDonagh's hardened themes, the most poignant of which is captivity."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...The believability of the relationships between the four character cast was incredibly compelling. Kate Harris navigates well the character of stubborn and needy matriarch Mag. The changeable attitudes of an elderly woman in need of companionship and control, yet fears of being alone is not an easy feat to convey. Similar to an ocean, Maureen and Mag’s relationship is like a riptide pulling them further away from the “shore” of societal change and shifts drastically into a hazardous undertow of repressed anger pulling the audience along with it. Extremely emotive performances, particularly Gray’s portrayal of Maureen’s stifled frustrations of years being her mother’s caretaker."

Picture This Post - Recommended

"...Overall, the cast is good at playing up the dry humor of the script and carries the story fairly well. The Bluebird Arts production of THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE will fulfill your Martin McDonagh needs."