Cast size: 2M
Premiered at: Seattle Rep (2003)
Directed by: Kurt Beattie

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The story

As Bill anxiously waits for his unfaithful wife and his furniture, he is visited by Jack, an older divorced neighbor who suggests the loneliness of life after marriage. A comic and wistful exploration of love, loss, and the needs that bring people together and drive them apart.

Reviews

"Despite (or maybe it's because of) its origin in a female mind, this funny, charming, and rather moving little sleeper of a play from Wendy MacLeod probes the vulnerabilities of heterosexual, middle-class, decaying maleness with...good humor, affection and incisive accuracy..." --The Chicago Tribune

"MacLeod's script is by turns acid and tender, and funny in a way that...proceeds powerfully from character and context." --Chicago Reader

"This funny and bittersweet play is the sleeper production of the season...this show sparkles with an emotional poignancy that makes for a very moving and heartfelt gem of a show." --Daily Southtown, Chicago

Press bibliography

Adcock, Joe. "Gal playwright taps into gut territory at Rep premiere." Seattle Post-Intelligencer 11 April 2003.

Adler, Tony. "What it means to be a man." Chicago Reader 6 June 2003.

Bazer, Gina. "House of MacLeod." Chicago Social June 2003: 34-35.

Berson, Misha. "ACT's Beattie has big 'Things' to deal with." The Seattle Times 11 April 2003.

Friend, Beverly. "Witty comedy probes marriage, male bonding." Lenner Skyline 5 June 2003.

Helbig, Jack. "Simply Wonderful: Two acts, two people all that's needed in 'Things.'" Daily Herald 13 June 2003.

Jones, Chris. "The attack of Wendy MacLeod." Chicago Tribune 30 May 2003.

Jones, Chris. "MacLeod's 'Things' a realistic, profound little show." Chicago Tribune 2 June 2003.

Weiss, Hedy. "'Things Being What They Are:' Theater Review." Chicago Sun-Times 17 June 2003.

Production Photos
from Seattle Rep, April 2003
(click to enlarge)