‘Middletown’ to be Staged in November

The everyday is elevated in University of Findlay’s upcoming play, “Middletown.” Performances will be held at Egner Center for the Performing Arts’ John and Hester Powell Grimm Theatre from Nov. 7-9 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts box office by visiting www.mcpa.org, by calling 419-423-2787, or by visiting the center at 200 W. Main Cross St. UF students, faculty, and staff will be admitted free with valid University ID.

“Middletown. Population: stable,” the cop says with a little smug civic pride. “Elevation: same. The main street is called Main Street. The side streets are named after trees. Things are fairly predictable. People come, people go.” This portion of script sets the tone for a play that addresses much larger universal themes about human connection.

Written by Will Eno and locally directed by Margie Anich, “Middletown” is about an average town that reflects the world. It’s also about loneliness and the very little things in life. It features a guy fixing the sink and an astronaut floating in outer space. The play encompasses a meditation on birth and death and the lives burning bright in between.

As a friendship develops between longtime resident John Dodge and new arrival Mary Swanson, the lives of Middletown inhabitants intersect in strange and poignant ways in a journey that takes them from the local library to outer space.

The New York Times described the play as “delicate, moving, piercing, tart, funny, gorgeous. Mr. Eno’s gift may be unmatched among writers of his generation. Glimmers from start to finish.”

“Middletown” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. This is both a dark comedy and an absurdist drama that contains mature themes and content such as reference to mental illness and suicide.

Cast list:

Mrs. Swanson (Mary) – India Miller

Female Tourist/Attendant #2 – Kaylee Furge

Aunt/Female Doctor – Riley Klauza

Librarian – Leah Chizmar

Public Speaker/Landscaper – Cody Watson

Greg (Astronaut)/Male Doctor – Jack Yeater

Male tourist/Freelancer/Radio Host – Eli Garmon

Tour Guide/Woman on Date/Attendant – Abbi Starcher

Mechanic – Jared Dixon

Cop – Alexander Miller

John Dodge – Ryan Blake Bush

Ground Control/Man on Date/Janitor – Robbie Riffle

Sweetheart/Intercom/Music Host – Jonda Krontz

Stage Manager – Destiny Dewar

Creative team:

Director – Margaret Anich

Set Designer – Kristin Ellert

Lighting Designer – Dustin Druckman

Costume Designer – Kathy Newell

Props – Jessica Leszkowicz

Technical Director – Matthew Stimmel