Playmakers Rep is presenting the North Carolina premiere of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, directed by playwright Nagle Jackson (The Elevation of Thieves). The show began previews March 10, officially opened March 13 and ends its scheduled run April 4.

The production stars Jeffrey Blair Cornell, Pauline Flanagan (Broadway's Medea, Corpse, Steaming, Under Milkwood, The Father), Brendan O'Malley and Shelley Williams.

Set in rural Ireland, Beauty Queen is the tale of an aging, manipulative mother and her interference with her daughter's chance at love.

Leenane won the Best Play Award from the Outer Critics Circle, the Drama League and the Drama Desk, in addition to four Tony Awards. Another play in McDonagh's Leenane trilogy, The Lonesome West, is set to arrive on Broadway this spring, at a theatre to be announced.

For tickets ($9-$25) or more information, call (919) 962-7529. Next up at Playmakers Rep is the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical Violet, beginning April 21.