The Lonesome West
The Lonesome West
By Martin McDonagh
Directed by Paul Potenza
Jul. 10 – Aug. 4, 2013
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
Tickets: $28
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Distinctions
Theatre Tampa Bay Nominated
- Outstanding Ensemble (play)
- Outstanding Director (play) – Paul Potenza
- Outstanding Lead Actor (play) – David Jenkins
- Outstanding Featured Actor (play) – Brian Shea
- Outstanding Featured Actress (play) – Caitlin Eason
- Outstanding Sound Design – Shawn Paonessa
- Outstanding Choreography/Fight Direction – Giles Davies
What It's About
The Lonesome West presents us with Valene and Coleman (Matt Lunsford and David Jenkins), two brothers living alone in their father’s house after his recent death, who find it impossible to exist without the most massive and violent disputes over the most mundane and innocent of topics.
Only Father Welsh (or is it Walsh?), the local priest (Brian Shea), is prepared to try to reconcile the two before their petty squabblings spiral into vicious and bloody carnage. A shotgun, a new stove, a collection of plastic saints, a pretty young girl (Caitlin McDonald Eason), and more poteen than you could swing a dead cat at – what could possibly go wrong?
Jobsite has previously produced McDonagh’s The Pillowman, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane to great acclaim. The Lonesome West is the final part of a trilogy all set in the small rural west country town of Leenane, where characters that appear in one play are referenced by the characters in the others.
About The Playwright
After writing a number of plays in a very short period of time, McDonagh has since become a successful screenwriter, winning awards and enjoying box office success with films like Six Shooter, In Bruges, and most recentlySeven Psychopaths. His most recently play, A Behanding in Spokane, starred Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken on Broadway.
Critic Reviews
This well-knit production... contains full-bodied performances from the entire cast.... This ambitious and serious Tampa company has grown in range and in skill. – Tampa Tribune
a gut-busting comedy... a theatrical adventure due to Lunsford's and Jenkins' stellar performances and chemistry – Tampa Bay Times
a superb production... exceedingly funny.... The Jobsite cast couldn't be better. Beautifully directed ... [an] impeccable set ... costumes are first rate. – Creative Loafing
Jobsite’s performers and direction are so strong ... comedy that turns tragic ...typical of what makes a McDonagh play worth seeing and hearing. – TotalTheater.com
News
Cast & Crew
- Paul Potenza – Director
- Matthew Ray – Stage Manager
Cast
- Caitlin Eason – Girleen
- David M. Jenkins – Coleman
- Matt Lunsford – Valeen
- Brian Shea – Father Welsh
Crew
- Ned Averill-Snell – Assistant Director/Props Designer
- Giles Davies – Combat Choreographer
- Greg Newcomb – Poster Artist
- Shawn Paonessa – Sound Designer
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Desginer
- Brian M. Smallheer – Scenic & Lighting Designer
Patron Reviews
I had a great time! Amazing show! – Stephen T.
Lonesome West is a dark comedic riot and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t planning on seeing it. – @itmustbemiriam
had a great time at Jobsite Theater’s THE LONESOME WEST last night – Brian R.
What a great show! Dark and funny. I really enjoyed it. – Roberta P.
Very fun afternoon at The Lonesome West! I will be annoyingly using “feck” as often as possible in the foreseeable future. – Susan Z.
For me to endorse a show, it has to be a very special production. For my friends in the Tampa Bay area, if you have not seen The Lonesome West at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, you need to go this weekend before they close. Beautiful production, directed by the incredibly talented Paul Potenza. All four actors are absolutely wonderful. – Colleen M.
great performances tonight! – @fsu2626 @jobsitetheater’s The Lonesome West was intense and hilarious and so fecking good. Great close to a strong season! #TampaTheater #Tampa – @ladriaan
Play was great! You guys were spot on with the accents. It’s easy to make folks laugh, which you did, but harder to make them cry, which you guys did as well. Really well done. – Dave P.
Saw it Wednesday. It’s wacky good fun!!! – Rick S.
Fabulous acting last evening, thank you! – Ralph P.
Saw the show last night. Great time was had by all! Definitely a “must see” for folks in the area! – Peggy H.
Saw Lonesome West last night. It was wonderful. Brian Shea just shines in that role. We laughed and laughed and then discussed it in the parking garage when we should have been driving home. – Clare Ward-Jenkins
You have one more week to see Lonesome West, an incredible play starring David Jenkins and Matt Lunsford. I saw it yesterday – and I am telling you that you should not miss it!! – Veronica D.
