Outside Mullingar, written by John Patrick Shanley, opens on 02 Oct 2026 at Sierra Madre Playhouse. The witty comedy features Liza Seneca as Rosemary Muldoon, an Irish farmer with one last chance at love.
Liza is an accomplished actress with experience in theatre, film, and TV. She is also the Co-Artistic Director of The 6th Act Theatre Company, an endeavor which motto is Fresh Takes on Timeless Stories. Below is our interview with Liza.
Tell us about your first impression when you read Outside Mullingar. What attracted you most to this play?
I was first introduced to this play about a decade ago in New York in the brilliant acting coach Larry Moss’ master class. An actor I admire very much had asked me to work on the last scene of the play with him for Larry’s class. I instantly fell in love with the characters and the play and had wanted to do a full production of it since that time. I have long loved Shanley’s writing and this is my very favorite of his plays, because it’s Shanley at his most lyrical, his most romantic. The themes of love, longing, parent/child relationships are timeless and universal.
What special characteristic does John Patrick Shanley capture about Ireland in this play?
He absolutely nails Irish humor which can be very dark, but deeply hilarious.
On the surface, Outside Mullingar looks like a light romantic comedy. But the dialogue exposes deeper themes such as traditions, love of the land, depression, suicide attempts, etc. How did you prepare yourself to portray all of those elements?
Great writing contains comedy that comes from dramatic moments and vice versa. The better the script, the better chance an actor has at portraying a multidimensional, complex person (which all of us humans are). Shanley’s script is a true gift to an actor in that he has given each character such a rich journey to go on. Rosemary is a character I immediately felt in my whole being, it’s one of those things I have learned not to question, to just be thankful for, and to remind myself to stay open to discoveries along the way.
How does an Irish story like Outside Mullingar relate to the American experience?
Though the play is set in Ireland, the themes are truly universal. Anyone who has ever been a child or a parent (which is all of us), anyone who has ever felt longing, been in love will find something that resonates.
What’s the most challenging aspect of the production of this play?
The truth is that the most challenging aspect of this or any production right now is simply getting people to come to the theater. Theaters all over the country are feeling it. There are so many factors: economics, an increasingly screen-driven culture, still processing Covid, you name it. It is a core belief of mine that theater needs more support and that it is a vital art form that can change lives.
Tell us about your acting education. You trained in The Groundlings, Antaeus Theatre Co., etc. How is it to navigate between drama and comedy?
You evolve as an actor because you evolve as a person and I am constantly learning. Though I do have training and though I do have certain ways I approach working, I am always learning from the people I work with and by exploring roles I haven’t worked on before. I love doing both comedy and drama and I think the best writing has both.
Is LA still a relevant place for actors?
I think LA is and will always be a relevant place for actors. Yes, the business is changing, the landscape shifting, but that has always been true. Whenever I personally get anxious about where the business is headed, I remind myself that radio plays and silent films were once the norm and now we couldn’t imagine our lives without television. Actors are inherently good at adapting and I genuinely believe we will always need performers. The mediums may continue to change, but I believe in the power of artists.
For actors, how competitive is the LA theatre scene compared to film and TV?
I think film and tv is more competitive, especially now because self-taping has really leveled the playing field, but there are also more roles available. As theater budgets continue to shrink, we are seeing more small cast plays than ever before so there is less work for theater actors than there used to be. That said, LA is one hundred percent a theater town filled with so many extraordinary actors who make excellent theater. It is definitely out there for anyone who is serious about it.
You have experience in Film, TV, and Theatre. Which one is your favorite and why?
I love them for different reasons. I enjoy the subtlety of film and television work and the fact that you have a product that you can continue to revisit and that will have a much broader reach. I love theater for the opposite reason – there is such magic in the fact that you have to be in the room to experience it and it’s ephemeral. I also love being able to tell the whole story in each performance and experience the total arc of the character each time. And I think more than anything we need communal experiences right now.
You co-founded The 6th Act with Matthew Leavitt. What are the mission and goals of this company?
Our mission statement is: To keep both the vitally important tradition of classical theatre alive, while also giving life to new plays, striving to make both accessible and exciting to modern audiences. We aim to create experiences that are equal parts enrichment and entertainment, to produce shows that will appeal equally to die-hard Shakespeareans as well as to those who seek a more modern style. We stage shows that offer fresh takes on timeless stories and new stories with timeless themes. We work passionately and tirelessly to build a creative community that fosters artistic risk, intelligence and inclusivity.
OUTSIDE MULLINGAR
Friday, October 2, 8:00 pm (Opening Night)
Sunday, October 25, 4:00 pm (Closing Night)
For tickets and more information, visit: sierramadreplayhouse.org
