Wednesday evening hubby and I had an opportunity to attend “Middletown” a play written by Dan Clancy and directed by Seth Greenleaf. This GFour Production was presented at the Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington and will be playing until June 2, 2019.
Middletown, is touring nationally and stars Sally Struthers, Anson Williams, Didi Conn and Adrian Zmed all of whom were excellent in their respective roles.
Not knowing what to expect I must admit that I was initially a bit confused upon arrival as there wasn’t a set; just four chairs and podiums. However, once the actors took the stage, it didn’t take long to get drawn into the characters and their lives realizing nothing more was needed.
Sally’s character, Peg, introduced the others, her husband, “Tom” played by Adrian Zmed, her best friend, “Dotty” played by Didi Conn and Dotty’s husband, “Don” played by Anson Williams.
Middletown “The Ride of Your Life” is a combination of comedy and drama; was very touching and it had me in tears as well as up on my feet applauding along with the entire audience at the end. The play covered multi-generational life changes and actual events including “9-11” and most if not all of us could relate to the topics that included a cancer diagnosis and death.
Middletown shows that there is definitely a human connection inclusive of all, something that we may be losing thanks to technology, especially Twitter. However, if plays with topics such of these continue to be written perhaps the generations behind us boomers will understand the true sacrifices and the real meaning of friendships and marriage.
We had an opportunity to meet and speak with Anson Williams and Didi Conn afterwards and it was such a pleasure to talk about “old times” i.e. Happy Days and Benson with them both.
We plan on seeing the play again before it leaves Delaware and if you are interested; Middletown will perform at the Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington, DE, Thursday, May 30th at 7 PM, Friday, May 31st at 8 PM, Saturday, June 1st at 2 & 8 PM, and Sunday, June 2nd at 2 pm.
Tickets are on sale at $45 and $55 and can be purchased at The Delaware Theatre Company by phone, (302) 594-1100 or online at www.delawaretheatre.org
Middletown The Play will have you toasting your real friends – go see it!
