Mary Lou Quinlan brings her play God box to the Lime Tree Theatre

Best-selling American author and successful businesswoman, Mary Lou Quinlan, is bringing her emotional, one-woman hit play “The God Box: A Daughter’s Story” to the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick, on Saturday, October 22, 2016 as part of a national tour to benefit local hospice groups.

Based on her powerful New York Times bestselling memoir of the same name, Quinlan, recently named as one of Irish America Magazine’s Power 50 Women – shares her personal journey exploring the laughter and tears of a family in love, in loss and in triumph.

The Limerick date is part of a nationwide tour with all proceeds to benefit local hospice groups through The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), a national charity striving for best care at end of life for all. It is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

This comic and heart-wrenching play tells how after her mother’s death Mary Lou discovered “God Boxes”, small containers stuffed with hundreds of tiny notes, sharing her mother’s innermost thoughts. They revealed her concerns about her kids’ demanding careers, to private wishes for people she’d never even met, to concerns about her own health and everything in between.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The poignant notes, scribbled in supermarket queues, restaurants, and at the kitchen table, were her mother’s way of releasing life’s worries and hopes. The discovery of the boxes triggered Mary Lou’s own unraveling, a journey to confront the greatest human challenge – learning to let go.

Co-written with Martha Wollner, an award-winning actor/playwright and director of NYC’s LAByrinth Theatre, the play has been presented in theatres across the US, including Off-Broadway. In 2014 it enjoyed a 24-night run to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  Quinlan has donated all proceeds to hospice, cancer care and education. To date she has raised nearly $400,000.

Mary Lou Quinlan is a hugely successful entrepreneur, and widely known in the US for her marketing company, Just Ask a Woman. She has advised over 100 blue chip companies on marketing to women and was formerly CEO of a large NYC ad agency.

She has written four books and numerous national magazine articles in the US where she has addressed hundreds of conferences on women’s issues.

Mary Lou Quinlan said she is honoured and delighted to be bringing her one-woman show to Limerick.

“The relationship between a mother and daughter is a unique one and yet, I’ve discovered those bonds and memories are powerful the world over, wherever you live.” Expressed Mary Lou.

Sharon Foley, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation, said: “I hope the people of Limerick can join with the Irish Hospice Foundation in supporting this wonderful show.  There are so many needs in hospice services and attending this show can help develop services in their area.”

CEO of Milford Hospice in Limerick, Pat Quinlan said: “The God Box is a wonderful and entertaining story about the themes of dying death and bereavement, and reflects how the hospice movement can help those facing critical illness.”

Proceeds from the show go to local Hospices through The Irish Hospices Foundation.

Purchase tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment here.

Read more about God Box: A Daughters Story here.

Check out Mary Lou Quinlan here.

Read more about The Irish Hospices Foundation here.