The Beauty Queen of Leenane Reviews
Broadway World- Recommended
"...Under Garry Hynes splendid direction, the actors give sparkling performances, feasting on every word and action. O'Sullivan wears Maureen's desperation like a garment. She makes us root for her escape. Mullen never misses an opportunity to make the cranky Mag an obnoxious force of nature, who relishes every second she is demeaning Maureen. Rea is wonderfully kind, caring and supportive as Pato. The opening of Act Two, as he addresses the audience with his letter to Maureen, is one of the most touching and tender moments in the play. As already mentioned, Monaghan as Ray steals his scenes with his terribly delicious spurts of humor."
Edge- Highly Recommended
"...The quartet of actors performs extraordinarily well, with Mullen and O'Sullivan subtly broadcasting all the mixed emotions which can mar any familiar relationship. And the producers have added to the Taper's fine reputation with this production, which should not be missed. Rare, indeed, to be given a chance to see such a fine import to our theatricalized city."
ArtsInLA- Somewhat Recommended
"...It's a shame The Beauty Queen of Leenane couldn't have returned more triumphantly this time out, but no doubt it is an enduring modern classic, so save the poker for next time out. Maureen and Mag have a lot of life left in them yet."
Stage Raw- Somewhat Recommended
"...At its best McDonagh's story should sear your heart, but this production, while polished and professional, is emotionally flat; the Mag we observe is a sharply delineated curmudgeon, but however well Mullen handles the shtick -and she handles it very well - there's never a doubt we're watching a play. O'Sulllivan displays more layers, but as with Mullen, it's a studied performance (at least the one I saw was), and it fails to ferry us to the drama's heights or to its depths."