Those afraid of prize-winning Irish playwright Martin McDonagh (b. 1970) take heart and get you to the theater. A kinder, gentler and more overtly funny McDonagh is currently displayed in the form of “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” produced by Ion Theatre at the Lyceum Space through May 10. At its former venue, Ion presented one of McDonagh’s darker works, “The Pillowman,” last season. Other McDonagh plays produced locally include “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” at San Diego Rep and “A Skull in Connemara” at the former 6th@Penn. The playwright is also known for his film work, notably “In Bruges,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination. The characters’ brutal honesty in “Inishmaan,” set in 1934 on a small island off the coast of Ireland, is tinged with darkness. There is indeed one blackhearted character, but the honesty is what distinguishes this work and makes its characters so funny and delightful. For instance, there is mystery surrounding the family of Crippled Billy (Jason Connors), an orphan who’s been raised by his “aunties,” Kate (Dana Hooley) and Eileen (D’Ann Paton), who aren’t really his aunties. The town newsmonger, Johnnypateenmike (Walter Ritter), spreads gossip as well as news that tends to be inaccurate. He is hated by many, but is made welcome nonetheless and rewarded to boot. His theatrical and pompous recap of news items occurs several times during the play, adding much hilarity due to the aunties’ reactions. At home, Johnnypateenmike tries to hasten the death of his Mammy (Trina Kaplan) by giving her all the drink she wants, against the express orders of Doctor McSharry (Charlie Riendeau). Crippled Billy adores a village lass, Helen (Morgan Trant), who in turn is courted by the widower Babbybobby (Rich Carillo), a seaman who provides the only transportation to the neighboring island, Inishmore, where a Hollywood film crew is just completing a documentary. Crippled Billy lies to gain passage along with Helen and her brother Bartley (Morgan Hollingsworth). He meets a producer who offers him a trip to Hollywood to make a screen test. It just so happens they are looking for an Irish cripple. Act II recounts what happens in both worlds, Hollywood and Inishmaan, as far apart culturally as they are geographically. The Irish being the Irish, we are presented numerous versions of the truth, and are totally grateful for the richness of an evening with these endearing characters. Under producing artistic director Glenn Paris’ assured direction, all the actors do excellent work; he seems to have tempered their usual individual tendencies and created a believable world. Most impressively, Carillo is a multi-dimensional character when he could have been all black villain. The others are simply magnificent, creating their deepest portrayals yet, with one exception. Young Morgan Hollingsworth has a way to go, but in such company and with work on improving his diction he may improve during the run of the show. Normal aging as well may work wonders with tongue and teeth. The production design is remarkable, consisting of a turntable that revolves quickly to present the aunties’ dry goods store/living room, Johnnypateenmike’s home, the seashore and Hollywood. Executive artistic director Claudio Raygoza and Matt Scott designed the set; Raygoza, the lighting design/video; Jennifer Brawn Gittings, the costumes; and Matt Lescault-Wood the sound. A word must be said for Anne-Charlotte Harvey’s dramaturgy and for Matt Curley’s “deck management,” whatever that is. Not to be missed, this is a savory production, as good as a trip to the auld sod at a bargain price. “The Cripple of Inishmaan” continues at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through May 10 at the Lyceum Space, San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. For tickets ($20-$24, with discounts for seniors, students and military) and information, visit www.iontheatre.com or www.sdrep.com or call (619) 544-1000.
