Keegan Theatre

The Keegan Theatre is an American professional theater based in Washington, D.C., that produces a mix of classics, musicals, and new works, including world premiere productions. It owns and operates a 120-seat theater in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, which it purchased and renovated in 2013.[1] It is led by founder and producing artistic director Mark Rhea and artistic director Susan Marie Rhea. Whitney Donaldson is executive chair of the theater's board of directors.

Keegan has been described as "eclectic" and as one of Washington, D.C.'s "most popular small [theater] companies." From its early focus on Irish plays and playwrights, it has broadened its repertoire to include musicals and contemporary American and British works.[2]

Founding

Mark Rhea founded Keegan in 1996 along with co-founders Sheri Herren, Stan Shulman, and Eric Lucas. The inaugural production was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1997. A Texan of Irish heritage, Mark Rhea has a special interest in Irish theater, plays and playwrights. His vision for Keegan was to take American classics to Ireland and perform Irish masterpieces in the United States. Keegan has conducted 15 theatrical tours of Ireland.[3][4]

Production history

The company has a tradition of producing plays by Irish and Irish-American playwrights. Its productions toured Ireland annually from 1999 to 2011 and again in 2014 and 2017.[5] The theater's education arm, PLAY-RAH-KA, offers classes, camps, and theatrical experiences for children and families.[6]

Annually since 2011, Keegan has produced An Irish Carol, a twist on the Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol set in an Irish pub. The play was written by Dublin native and Keegan company member Matthew J. Keenan.[7]

Keegan is notable for producing contemporary Irish words, and produced the world premiere of Irish playwright Rosemary Jenkinson's Basra Boy in its 2010-11 season.[8]

2017-18 Season[9]
2018-19 Season[10]
Ireland Tour Productions[11]

Awards

As of 2018, Keegan's productions have received six Helen Hayes Awards (and 50 nominations) for this Washington theater honor. Its Helen Hayes Awards are:

  • 2010: Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical: Parker Drown, Rent
  • 2010: The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical: Keegan Theatre, Rent
  • 2017: Outstanding Production, Musical -- Helen Category: Next to Normal
  • 2017: Outstanding Direction, Musical -- Helen Category: Mark A. Rhea and Colin Smith, Next to Normal
  • 2017: Outstanding Supporting Actor, Musical -- Helen Category: David Landstrom, Next to Normal
  • 2018: Outstanding Lead Actor, Musical -- Helen Category: Michael Innocenti, Parade

References
  1. "Keegan Theatre company, new owners of Church Street theater, dreams big," Nelson Pressley, Washington Post, June 28, 2013. Found at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/keegan-theatre-company-new-owners-of-church-street-theater-dreams-big/2013/06/27/55c624e0-dda4-11e2-b797-cbd4cb13f9c6_story.html
  2. "Keegan and Constellation Shine on Their Historic D.C. Stages," Nelson Pressley, Washington Post, May 10, 2017. Found at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/keegan-and-constellation-shine-on-their-historic-dc-stages/2017/05/10/ca970e18-3595-11e7-b4ee-434b6d506b37_story.html
  3. "Keegan Theatre Comes Full (Dupont) Circle," Gary Tischler, The Georgetowner, August 7, 2015. Found at: https://georgetowner.com/articles/2015/08/07/keegan-theatre-comes-full-dupont-circle/
  4. "Mark and Susan Marie Rhea and Irish Theater," Blair A. Ruble, The Wilson Center, Nov. 1, 2017. Found at: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/mark-and-susan-marie-rhea-and-irish-theater
  5. "Keegan Theatre finds Irish audiences enthusiastic about ‘A Few Good Men’," Rebecca Ritzel, Washington Post, September 16, 2014. Found at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/keegan-theatre-finds-irish-audiences-enthusiastic-about-a-few-good-men/2014/09/16/4be5a246-3dcc-11e4-a430-b82a3e67b762_story.html
  6. "What's on tap on D.C. stages for children," Jane Horwitz, Washington Post, January 26, 2017. Found at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/theater-dance/whats-on-tap-in-family-friendly-theater/2017/01/26/3e433ae8-df43-11e6-918c-99ede3c8cafa_story.html
  7. "'An Irish Carol' on tap at Keegan Theatre," Nelson Pressley, Washington Post, December 8, 2011. Found at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/an-irish-carol-on-tap-at-keegan-theatre/2011/12/08/gIQAwIJDgO_story.html
  8. The Oxford Handbook of Modern Irish Theatre, Nicholas Grene and Chris Morash, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780198706137
  9. "2017-18 Season at Keegan: Uplifting in an Unsettled Time," Keegan Theatre press release, May 5, 2017. Found at: https://keegantheatre.com/2017-2018-season-at-keegan-uplifting-in-an-unsettled-time/
  10. "Keegan Theatre Announces 2018-19 Season," Keegan Theatre press release, April 27, 2018. Found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keegan_Theatre&action=edit
  11. http://keegantheatre.com/about/ireland-tours/ireland-tour-productions/
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