Things Being What They Are
Cast size: 2 (2M)
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.
Premiered at: Seattle Rep (2003)
Directed by: Kurt Beattie
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.