Julliard Drama Presents MIDDLETOWN by Will Eno

MIDDLETOWN is written by Will Eno whose play Thom Pain was a finalist for the Pulitzer Play ('05) and whose latest play The Realistic Joneses will soon be making its debut on B'wy starring Toni Collette, Tracy Letts & Marisa Tomei.  This emerging playwright has written an ingenious, verbose play with observations on the mundane & sublime take on a miraculous life of its own.  As in Wilder's Our Town, Eno marvels at the "wonder & awe that is life."  MIDDLETOWN is a middling combination of the philosophy, religion, science; the profound, the absurd, the real & the surreal.  It is written with irony, wonder, poignancy and humor.  And while I was constantly amused I was baffled by the guffaws emanating from the audience.   What could normally be thought of as cliche, was as riveting & mystifying as gravity.  And, if you thought there was nothing new under the sun, you'd be amazed at the unique format with its beginning, middle and end.  If all we are meant to "want out of life is love and to feel beautiful," this is a beautiful play to love.  The clever mimimalistic staging & terrific acting by the Julliard students is commendable.  Sarah Hunt's performance as Mary Swanson was deeply stirring.  Julliard's drama students did an outstanding job with the accomplished writing of Eno's MIDDLETON.