Good People Opens January 24

Iowa City – This winter, Riverside Theatre brings to life the award-winning play Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire. Set in South Boston, the play follows the struggles of sharp-tongued character Margie Walsh as she looks for work in the most unlikely place, her scrappy high school boyfriend turned doctor, using her best friends and bingo night for catharsis. The clever and timely script ultimately questions if a good heart fates one for the right, or wrong, side of the poverty line. Directed by Ron Clark.

Tickets: Adults, $25-30; Youth/Student Rush, $15. Riverside Theatre is located at 213 N. Gilbert Street, Iowa City, Iowa. Shows run Thursday – Sunday, January 24 – February 16, 2014. More information at riversidetheatre.org, or 319-338-7672.

About the Play

Good People playwright David Lindsay-Abaire grew up in South Boston, or Southie as those from the neighborhood call it. His insight helped to develop the character Margie Walsh, a South Boston native. The play begins with her losing her Dollar Store job, and with a developmentally disabled daughter and an impending eviction from her apartment, Margie is in a time-crunch to find new work. Her colorful friends Dottie and Jean suggest that she track down her high school boyfriend, now Doctor Mike Dillon, and ask for a job. As Margie and Mike rediscover each other, economic realities clash and secrets are revealed.

Director Ron Clark says of Good People, "This is an amazing play that combines great humor with a piercing look at how many in this country struggle financially but refuse to lose their fighting spirit and survivor skills. Combine a script like that with a great group of professional actors, and rehearsals are always a pleasure."

Good People, winner of the Best Play of the 2010-2011 Season New York Drama Critics Circle Award, has received much praise. Jason Clark of Slant Magazine extols, "Only David Lindsay-Abaire could write scenes of downtrodden Southie ... Instead of holding up the play's lead character Margaret… as a victim of hard luck, the playwright shrewdly uses her as an example of how choices can make or break us, and the smallest twists of fate determine our path."

The Cast and Crew of Riverside Theatre’s Production

Riverside Theatre’s cast of Good People features Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers as Margie, a regular on the Riverside Theatre stage (The Exit Interview, The Cripple of Inishmaan). She has appeared at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, with the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble in Chicago, is an artistic associate of Working Group Theatre, and has spent seven summers with the Iowa Summer Repertory.

Also in the show are Iowa City favorites Tim Budd (The Santaland Diaries), Jody Hovland (The Exit Interview), Carrie Houtchins-Witt (Walking the Wire), Osean Perez (The Cripple of Inishmaan), and Chicago visiting artist Mallory Raven Ellen Backstrom as Kate.

Good People is tailored to the Riverside Theatre stage by professional designers Shelly A. Ford (Scenic Designer), David Thayer (Lighting Designer), Osean Perez (Costume Designer) and Ron Clark (Sound Designer).

Good People Performance Schedule

Show dates:
Fri/Sat/Sun Jan 24 - 26
Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun Jan 30 - Feb 2
Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun Feb 6 - 9
Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun Feb 13 - 16
All Thurs-Sat shows, 7:30PM; Sunday shows at 2:00PM

Related Events

Thursday Theatre Talk, January 16

Thursday Theatre Talk is a discussion about the show with director Ron Clark and guest Crissy Canganelli, Executive Director of Shelter House. Free and open to the public.

Opening Night Party, January 24

A post-show party on opening night at the Bluebird Diner for a $10 add on to your ticket price--order through the Riverside Theatre Box Office. See riversidetheatre.org for details.

Talkbacks: Sun, Jan 26 & Fri, Feb 7

After the show the actors and director answer audience questions about the play during these scheduled talkbacks.


Source: Riverside Theatre press release