What Audiences Think of Middletown
Nov 14, 2018
The highly anticipated Toronto premiere of the acclaimed 2017 Shaw Festival-production has finally arrived. And considering the overwhelming reviews and reactions from a year ago, Middletown is set to enthrall local audiences.
"I found myself breaking down in the parking lot and having the first full-on weep I've had after a play in years," said J. Kelly Nestruck (Globe and Mail), giving the play 4 stars. "Touching and funny," exclaimed the Toronto Star's Karen Fricker, "getting to write about theatre this amazing is why I’m in this game. ★★★★"
The 5-star review from Stage-door.com stated: “Middletown is redolent with compassion,” adding that “it is hard to imagine the play receiving a better, more sensitive production… a beautifully imagined production with impeccable performances from the entire cast.” Jamie Portman from Capital Critics Circle agreed: “Meg Roe’s delicately crafted production provides a celebration of outstanding ensemble playing… there’s no denying the emotional impact of Middletown.”
With all the overwhelming reviews, we decided to find out directly from the audiences what they thought of the show. Here are a few remarks encouraging you to see Middletown at Streetcar Crowsnest this month. (And if you already have your tickets, this is what you can look forward to!)
“I loved the sensitive direction and performances - especially from Moya O'Connell and Gray Powell, but really the whole cast. So, what did it do for me? Gave me one of the best nights in the theatre, spending time with people (onstage) I was interested in and grew to care about, in only two brief hours.” – Elaine Calder
“Let me count the ways. On second thought, just let me savour it again.” – Robert Missen
“It allowed me to breathe in a new way. To sit still, at peace, as my heart and mind expanded. It blew doors off for me. I saw it four times and felt each viewing more profound than the last. I have rarely felt so included in something that I was completely outside of. I could go on but I fear it will put too much pressure on others to love it the same way.” – Beatrice Campbell
“Loved it! It’s an elegant nightmare that doesn’t announce itself, it just creeps up on you.” – Colin Rivers
“If you love theatre, and you like to see people connecting, learning more about each other and the struggles that we’re all going through, I highly recommend that you see Middletown. I don’t know how to explain it. It is fantastic. The performances are quite powerful and you will relate. See Middletown.” – Andrea Scott
The local was universal.” – Neil Foster
“Middletown unearths the subtle, delightful depth inside our everyday (and often accidental) connections. I saw a contemporary, quotidian reality cleverly magnified to a degree that made it, all of it, shine. I'll never forget the feeling it left me with – my ears re-tuned to what felt like a different frequency. It was like (in the least dramatic, least cheesy way) I was hearing, and seeing everything with a newfound awe for life. Can’t wait to see it again!” – Rebecca Gibian
“I saw it a few times – one of the only shows I've seen more than once – and one of the most profound experiences I've had in a theatre. The strange sadness of life. The beauty of space and silence. The sufficiency of as-is and enough. The small, strange kindnesses of a spilled pill or a gentle word to a corpse. The glorious stagecraft of music and voices and a single man in the vastness of space. I'm getting pretty emotional even remembering it again.” – Jonathan Tan
Middletown is on stage at Streetcar Crowsnest until December 1, 2018.
TOP PHOTO by David Cooper: Gray Powell & Moya O'Connell | BOTTOM PHOTO by Rachel McCaig: Benedict Campbell, Kristopher Bowman, Corrine Koslo, Fiona Byrne | Costume Design by Camellia Koo | Lighting Design by Kevin Lamotte