Two Irishmen talk politics, social issues and more in “Mr. Dooley’s America,” which opens at the Malibu Stage Co. Feb. 9.
By Ryan O’Quinn / Special to The Malibu Times
Co-written 30 years ago by a Malibu resident, “Mr. Dooley’s America” returns somewhat to its roots; the play, which recently finished a run in New York where it garnered praise from critics and audiences, will be presented at the Malibu Stage Co. beginning Feb. 9.
Malibu Stage Co.’s Board President Jackie Bridgeman was already interested in the play when one of the actors approached her about bringing it to Malibu.
“I had read a review in the New York Times theater section,” Bridgeman said. “It was a rave review and it was a two-man show and I thought that was very interesting. Then, coincidentally, they came to me and wanted to do it out here.”
Bridgeman then discovered that the play had several Malibu connections.
Actor Vincent Dowling, who originated the play’s title character in 1976, is married to Olwen O’Herlihy, daughter of former Malibu resident Dan O’Herlihy. Olwen, a painter, is accompanying her husband for the run of the show to the place where she grew up.
“I first did Mr. Dooley in 1976 at the end of my first year at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival,” Dowling said. “I had [the writers] Philip Dunne and Martin Blaine come out to help in the production and that was what Philip considered the premiere of the play.”
Playwright Dunne lived in Malibu from the 1950s until his death in 1992,when he died of cancer at the age of 84. His home served as a meeting place for local and national issues, where Hollywood’s left wing elite would gather. The playwright, who wrote screenplays for films ranging from “How Green was My Valley” (1942) to “The Last of the Mohicans” (1992), received two Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for screenwriting. He was also instrumental in founding the Writers Guild of America and served on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
“Mr. Dooley’s America” is a comedy set in an Irish pub in Chicago, where the owner, Mr. Dooley, is accompanied by his friend Hennessey (played by Des Keogh). The two humorously discuss topics such as illegal immigration, race relations, the deterioration of the English language, social reform, marriage and profane kindergarten students.
Dunne co-wrote the play with Blaine in 1976 and it is based on the works of Dunne’s father, newspaper columnist Peter Finley Dunne. At the turn of the last century the elder Dunne’s syndicated articles were written as the fictional Irish Pub owner, Mr. Dooley. The character’s humorous “everyman” take on social and political issues of the day amassed a large following, and made Dunne and Dooley a household name.
“I toured this show around America and last summer for the first time brought it to New York,” Dowling said. “I said to the Dunne daughters that it should be brought to Malibu, back to where Philip and Martin Blaine had written the play.”
Dowling also noted that three of his four daughters and six grandchildren live in the area and he wanted them to be exposed to the witticisms of Mr. Dooley.
The actor said, despite the play’s origin coming from works in the 1890s and early 1900s, its content and dialogue is very timely today.
“I do an annual founder’s production at the Miniature Theatre of Chester,” Dowling said. “In 2005 I was trying to decide what I was going to do in 2006 and I thought what America needs is the voice of Martin Dooley again. Every American needs to hear what Mr. Dooley has to say at this point in time.”
Bridgeman said the two-man play will not have a director from the Malibu Stage Co. nor will one be coming to Malibu for the performances.
“The play is coming as is,” Bridgeman said. “It has already been directed in New York and once it is set like that, it travels without a director.”
Prior to its run in New York, the play had successful runs in various theaters in Ireland, including the Irish Repertory Theatre and the Abbey Theatre.
“These two are very accomplished actors,” Bridgeman said of the duo. “I really hope the public responds to this. This is a professional theater with wonderful people here.”
Dowling is a lifetime associate director and former artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theater. He was an actor and director there for 23 years, and has produced, acted and directed theater around the world. He won an Emmy Award for producing and directing “The Playboy of the Western World” for PBS.
Actor Des Keogh is taking a brief absence from the Abbey Theatre in Dublin for this performance in Malibu. He has traveled around the world as an actor and playwright, and has appeared in a number of films and Irish television series.
“Mister Dooley’s America” opens on Feb. 9 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through March 6 at the Malibu Stage Co. theater at 29243 Pacific Coast Highway. Tickets are $25. Reservations can be obtained by calling 310.589.1998.