Set in 1990s
Belfast , this drama is full of rich, poetic language, complex and compelling characters, and devastating situations.
Mark A. Rhea Other Keegan Irish-work mainstage productions previously directed by Rhea include: Translations (Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Director), The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Playboy of the Western World, The Hostage, The Field, Dancing at Lughnasa, and Synge with Yeats.
"There are still too few plays that grant women an equal opportunity to be compelling . . . what a pleasure, then -and how moving it is- to see Rona Munro's Bold Girls." New York Times
Rona Munro's Bold Girls focuses on four women dealing with absent men, a dearth of money and an excess of violence. The drama -- full of rich, poetic language, complex and compelling characters, and devastating situations -- depicts a mother, who just wants some new fabric to redecorate her parlor, and her daughter, whose husband has been "lifted" by the British police and who hopes to escape Belfast even if means abandoning her children. Then there's Marie, who escapes the present by clinging to the memory of a husband she didn't really know, while the mysterious Deirdre reveals to these women a part of the past that can change their future.
"Often wrenching, it's just as often funny . . . Munro occasionally allows her characters an almost novelistic luxury with language . . . this makes the play seem universal even while it's also utterly real and firmly set in nineteen-nineties Belfast." The New Yorker
Church Street Theater . 1742 Church St, NW, Washington, DC . Thurs-Sat at 8 PM, Sun at 2 PM through June 11
"One of the best venues in the Washington area is a funky little space known as the Church Street Theater ... One factor that makes it such a pleasure to see Keegan’s productions at Church Street is its resident set-designing whiz, George Lucas ... As is par for the course for Keegan, the acting is top-notch. Both Porter and Pafumi give poignant, multitextured performances. High demonstrates once again that she is one of D.C.’s best character actors. Agan believably alternates between vulnerability and defiant cynicism. .... Drop in on the Church Street Theater and enjoy." Reviewed by Doug Krentzler, May 31, 2006
To read full review, go to www.dcexaminer.com, and select the May 31 edition, page 23
Potomac Stages
A Potomac
Stages pick for a fine ensemble performance of an absorbing drama
"When Keegan gets a piece right, they really get it right. Frequently, when they hit dramatic pay dirt it is with a play by an Irish author. This play isn't by an Irish author but it is Irish to the core . . . Fine ensemble work is the hallmark of this production. The four actresses work together smoothly . . . Ghillian Porter covers the widest range of emotions . . . nicely avoids excesses . . .Helen Pafumi and Linda High seem to communicate in the recognition of small signs as a mother and daughter can, picking up on each other's gestures, postures and tone of voice. Coming as the stranger to this trio of women . . . Carolyn Agan. . .becomes a major force rather than a furtive presence . . . covering a range of emotions in the final revelation scene. . . The final lighting effect as dawn brings a new beginning is beautifully realized." Reviewed by Brad Hathaway, April 29, 2006
'ALL THAT GLITTERS IS BOLD'. . . Munro won an award from the Evening Standard for this work, and the play has much going for it . . . Bold Girls is a good time. Porter is utterly convincing as the wholesome, relentlessly optimistic Marie. High. . . delivers a specifically rendered, thoughtful performance as a tough middle-aged woman full of peasant cunning . . .Director Mark Rhea provided excellent pacing. . . Bold Girls is solid, sustained theatrical pleasure." Reviewed by Tim Treanor, May 1, 2006
Review4U "The Keegan Theater is presenting a stirring drama. . .the playwright nicely uses the chaos of the conflict . . . [and] adds warm humor for balance. Ghillian Porter . . . a magnificent and gutsy performance. . . chillingly effective. Linda High continues to show great acting range. . . is totally convincing. . . Mark Rhea showed fine naturalism in his directing. . .Tony Angelini came through with outstanding sound . . . Designer George Lucas again provided a perfect triptych set with the major part showing an ordinary middle class kitchen. . .charmingly complemented by set dresser, Carol Baker. Dan Martin always nuances the lighting to accent the shifts in the dramatic action . . . a fine evening of emotional interaction from pleasant to violent . . . highly recommended for family outings since we learn so much about ordinary people and how external violence reflects in daily living." Reviewed by Bob Anthony, April 28, 2006
"The trouble with dramas involving dysfunctional families is that the petty hatreds, angry outbursts, seething resentments and quiet, painful estrangements hit too close to home. Keegan Theatre's production of Scottish playwright Rona Munro's “Bold Girls” is a pointed and occasionally humorous walk through this angst-ridden minefield . . .The play's best scene happens when a despondent Cassie lets loose a secret Marie hoped she would never hear. The way the pair set the dispute, and Marie's actions later with Dierdre, are true to life." Reviewed by Brian Trompeter, May 1, 2006
Gunston Arts Center Theatre Two is a 125-seat black box theatre managed by the Arlington Cultural Affairs Division and located at 2700 South Lang Street in Arlington, VA. The facility has plenty of free parking and is handicapped accessible.
Click the link below for a printable map and directions document provided by Arlington County Arts:
The directions and information below were gathered, written and provided by
Arlington County Cultural Affairs
Gunston Arts Center Theatre Two
telephone: 703-228-6969, fax 703-228-6999
From Virginia: From Rt. 50: Fork Right onto Washington Blvd. Take the I395/Ridge Road exit and follow the signs to Arlington Ridge Road. Turn right on Arlington Ridge Rd, go through one traffic light and start down a hill. Fork right onto Lang Street and take first Driveway on right into the Gunston Middle School parking lot. Walk around the right side of the building to a three sided courtyard. The theatre entrance is at the end of the court yard.
From I-66 East:Take exit ?? onto Route 110. Take exit to Washington Blvd/I395 South. After passing the Pentagon, take exit to Ridge Road. Turn right on Arlington Ridge Rd, go through one traffic light and start down a hill. Fork right onto Lang Street and take first Driveway on right into the Gunston Middle School parking lot. Walk around the right side of the building to a three sided courtyard. The theatre entrance is at the end of the court yard.
From the District: From the Roosevelt Bridge: Take Rt. 50 South, to Washington Blvd. Take second Washington Blvd exit to go East. Take the I395/Ridge Road exit and follow the signs to Arlington Ridge Road. Turn right on Arlington Ridge Rd, go through one traffic light and start down a hill. Fork right onto Lang Street and take first Driveway on right into the Gunston Middle School parking lot. Walk around the right side of the building to a three sided courtyard. The theatre entrance is at the end of the court yard.
From I-395 South/the14th Street Bridge: Take exit 8, Washington Blvd/Ridge Road and follow signs to Ridge Road. Turn right on Arlington Ridge Rd, go through one traffic light and start down a hill. Fork right onto Lang Street and take first Driveway on right into the Gunston Middle School parking lot. Walk around the right side of the building to a three sided courtyard. The theatre entrance is at the end of the court yard. Nearest Metro Station: Crystal City. Approximately 2 miles. Bus 23A from stops at Lang and Ridge Road.
Parking and Access: The theatre is located in the Gunston Middle School and Community Center. There is ample free parking.
Finding Church Street Theater
1742 Church Street, NW, Washington, DC
Church Street Theater is a 95-seat black box theatre located at 1742 Church St NW in Washington, DC 20036.It is in the Dupont Circle area of the city, between 17th & 18th and P & Q Streets, N.W.
To visit MapQuest’s map of this location click below:
If you plan to travel by Metro, take the Red Line and debark at Dupont Circle.
If you plan to travel by car, please allow time for finding a parallel parking spot, --or, alternatively, plan to park in one of the nearby parking garages:
Colonial Parking at 1616 P Street NW
--this is the closest-- $6 after 5:30 PM; closes at 11 PM Mon-Thurs, and midnight Fri-Sun)
Mark A. Rhea Other Keegan Irish-work mainstage productions previously directed by Rhea include: 
