On Tour in Boston: Cabaret and The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Fun, if somewhat freaky, #BosArts fact of the day:

The U.S. tours of Cabaret (at Lexus Broadway In Boston) and The Beauty Queen of Leenane (at ArtsEmerson) are both currently in Boston. Not only are they both playing in the same city, at the same time, they are also in adjoining theatres on Washington Street. Cabaret performs through this Sunday, February 12th at the Boston Opera House, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane performs at the Emerson/Cutler Majestic through February 26th.

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Both are revivals of productions from 20 years ago.

Both  won four Tony Awards in 1998 Tony Awards, three of which were in acting categories:

Cabaret won: Best Musical Revival, Best Leading Actress in a Musical – Natasha Richardson, Best Leading Actor in a Musical – Alan Cumming, Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Ron Rifkin.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane won: Best Director of a Play – Garry Hynes, Best Leading Actress in a Play – Marie Mullen, Best Featured Actor in a Play – Tom Murphy, Best Featured Actress in a Play – Anna Manahan.

Both tours are by the same companies as 20 years ago: Cabaret by Roundabout Theatre Company and The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Druid Theatre Company.

Both touring productions have the same directors as 20 years ago: Sam Mendes & Rob Marshall for Cabaret and Garry Hynes for The Beauty Queen of Leenane. 

And both subvert audience expectations. How’s that for some trivia?