“Exciting”! Compelling”! “Daring”! “Relevant”! “Emotional Powerhouse”! “Absolutely Should Not Be Missed”! San Francisco Times
Winner of Nine Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards
Book/Lyrics: Mary Bracken Phillips
Music: Patrick Meegan
(2W/9M Can be expanded)
"Brimstone" is set in 1998 Belfast where the bloody dance between Irish and English, Catholic and Protestant, continues with fury. Eamon Dunne, is "the man who walked away". A prestigious architectural scholarship from Princeton University had taken Eamon out of strife filled Northern Ireland eight years before. At the play's start, Eamon has returned home to attend the funeral of his brother, an Irish Republican Army terrorist gunned down by the police. In an attempt to come to grips with his brother's death, Eamon must confront his own pacifism in the face of increasing violence. He also must confront Miraid, the woman that he left behind convinced by a family determined to keep him safe in America, that she no longer loved him. Though the plot is complicated by the presence of spies and counter spies, "Brimstone" is basically a love story framed by betrayal, both political and emotional.
the most involving, lyrical, beautifully written and performed original work I've seen in several years…" San Francisco Bay Times
“…tackles the complex issues of patriotism, honor and love with a vibrant blend of rousing music and poignant drama. Phillips deals quite astutely with the complexities of the conflict in Northern Ireland, bringing vitality and conviction to her characters while leavening the whole with deft humor…A truly great evening of theatre."
Boston Herald
"A daring work that features an intriguing plot (marked by the age old one-two of love in danger) bright dialogue, humor, good songs, and well drawn characters. Mere entertainment turns to art."
Albany Times Union
…captures the unfathomable heartache of civil war. The writers never glorify violence, never paint "The Troubles" in simple shades of orange and green. The piece pulses because the writers understand the human spirit."
Boston Globe
"Phillips' forceful book and lyrics and Meegan's sweetly anguished Irish score spin a tale of love betrayal and terrorism...about complicated, flawed and moving people, not one dimensional heroes and villains."
San Francisco Chronicle
"…hard driving emotional powerhouse of a musical…wonderful music and an engaging story that soars with emotion and fire…an important show, well done and something that shouldn't be missed.
San Francisco Times
“When ‘Brimstone’ was revised at the Willows it became quite different play. What was once a scenario we could hold at arms length is suddenly a captivating allegory for the United States’ present war situation. Not only are our troops playing a role in the Mideast similar to that the British were in Ireland, but the notion of terrorism happening on our own streets has become brutally real.”
Pat Craig Contra Costa Times
...the death, destruction, betrayal and political intrigue in "Brimstone" bring to mind the twisting fortunes of love and war scored into the librettos of Puccini's ‘Tosca’ and ‘Madama Butterfly’. Spectacular!"
Springfield Gazette
“This is a terrific musical; the lyrics and music are haunting, fun, refreshing and powerful, resonating again in my mind as I write this. Mary Bracken Phillips is still one of the very best lyricists today and I still love this show. If you have not seen it then by all means put it high on your list.
Rossmoor Press
for info contact [email protected]
Original Cast Recording available on Amazon.com
Winner of Nine Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards
Book/Lyrics: Mary Bracken Phillips
Music: Patrick Meegan
(2W/9M Can be expanded)
"Brimstone" is set in 1998 Belfast where the bloody dance between Irish and English, Catholic and Protestant, continues with fury. Eamon Dunne, is "the man who walked away". A prestigious architectural scholarship from Princeton University had taken Eamon out of strife filled Northern Ireland eight years before. At the play's start, Eamon has returned home to attend the funeral of his brother, an Irish Republican Army terrorist gunned down by the police. In an attempt to come to grips with his brother's death, Eamon must confront his own pacifism in the face of increasing violence. He also must confront Miraid, the woman that he left behind convinced by a family determined to keep him safe in America, that she no longer loved him. Though the plot is complicated by the presence of spies and counter spies, "Brimstone" is basically a love story framed by betrayal, both political and emotional.
the most involving, lyrical, beautifully written and performed original work I've seen in several years…" San Francisco Bay Times
“…tackles the complex issues of patriotism, honor and love with a vibrant blend of rousing music and poignant drama. Phillips deals quite astutely with the complexities of the conflict in Northern Ireland, bringing vitality and conviction to her characters while leavening the whole with deft humor…A truly great evening of theatre."
Boston Herald
"A daring work that features an intriguing plot (marked by the age old one-two of love in danger) bright dialogue, humor, good songs, and well drawn characters. Mere entertainment turns to art."
Albany Times Union
…captures the unfathomable heartache of civil war. The writers never glorify violence, never paint "The Troubles" in simple shades of orange and green. The piece pulses because the writers understand the human spirit."
Boston Globe
"Phillips' forceful book and lyrics and Meegan's sweetly anguished Irish score spin a tale of love betrayal and terrorism...about complicated, flawed and moving people, not one dimensional heroes and villains."
San Francisco Chronicle
"…hard driving emotional powerhouse of a musical…wonderful music and an engaging story that soars with emotion and fire…an important show, well done and something that shouldn't be missed.
San Francisco Times
“When ‘Brimstone’ was revised at the Willows it became quite different play. What was once a scenario we could hold at arms length is suddenly a captivating allegory for the United States’ present war situation. Not only are our troops playing a role in the Mideast similar to that the British were in Ireland, but the notion of terrorism happening on our own streets has become brutally real.”
Pat Craig Contra Costa Times
...the death, destruction, betrayal and political intrigue in "Brimstone" bring to mind the twisting fortunes of love and war scored into the librettos of Puccini's ‘Tosca’ and ‘Madama Butterfly’. Spectacular!"
Springfield Gazette
“This is a terrific musical; the lyrics and music are haunting, fun, refreshing and powerful, resonating again in my mind as I write this. Mary Bracken Phillips is still one of the very best lyricists today and I still love this show. If you have not seen it then by all means put it high on your list.
Rossmoor Press
for info contact [email protected]
Original Cast Recording available on Amazon.com