Non Sequiturs Ricocheting Everywhere

The Realistic Joneses – Shattered Globe and Wit Theater

Much like an episode of “Seinfeld,” nothing really happens in this one-act by Will Eno. We glean a little bit of information about each of the four characters but there’s not really a story, per se. The author of such other noteworthy plays as “Thom Paine (Based on Nothing),” “Middletown” and “Title and Deed,” Eno’s 2014 comedy took home a Drama Desk award and earned the title of Best Play on Broadway by USA Today. The New York Times warned audiences “not to come to  this play expecting tidy, clearly drawn narrative arcs or familiarly typed characters.” The dramatic comedy feels more like a contemporary Theatre of the Absurd offering with its plethora of non sequiturs ricocheting everywhere. Eno’s actually crafted a single play out of a series of short scenes that almost feel like a series of Second City comedy sketches. However, the developing relationship between two couples adds up to a bizarre plot, of sorts, and an authentic portrait of real life.

The two couples in this comedy both, coincidentally, share the same surname of Jones. When the play opens, the middle-aged couple, Bob and Jennifer, are discovered relaxing and enjoying the evening on their patio. The strange trajectory of their conversation is kind of what one might expect to hear from a couple who’s been together for decades, whose sentences are fragmented and ideas seem unsaid. Jennifer observes, “It seems we don’t talk.” Bob thinks this over and finally replies, “What are we doing right now? Math?” To which Jen responds, “No, we’re…I don’t know…sort of throwing words at each other.” Jennifer and Bob aren’t the only Joneses who communicate by simply throwing words at each other. 

They suddenly hear something rustling around in the dark near the garbage cans. Thinking it might be a skunk or a raccoon, Jen and Bob are surprised to discover it’s the new neighbors, nerdy John and his ditsy wife with the weird name, Pony. The Joneses seem nice, but a little off-kilter. They’re renting the house next door with blue shutters because, as scatterbrained Pony admits, “I’ve always wanted to live in one of those little towns near the mountains. So one night John comes home and literally says…I forget what he said exactly…” They’ve brought their neighbors a bottle of fancy wine, but, tellingly, it’s never opened.

We learn from Jennifer that Bob suffers from an unnamed, degenerative disease with no known cure, and the only specialist in the country happens to live nearby. Only his symptoms are being simply treated with medication. They include moodiness,  forgetting simple words and information and a restriction of various motor skills. Eventually, as a dead squirrel is discovered and disposed of, the humor begins to grow darker. We also find out the real motive that drove John and Pony to move to this particular small town. As the play progresses, the two couples continue trying to communicate with each other, eventually finding themselves in a strange, new territory.

Theater Wit’s Artistic Director has done a magnificent job of casting and staging this eccentric play. He’s guided his four actors with care, allowing each accomplished performer to bring his best to the stage. Linda Reiter is wonderful as Jennifer. She plays Mrs. Jones with grace and warmth, providing the necessary strength and maturity necessary for all the others. She’s matched by the subtly curmudgeon character that H.B. Ward creates in Bob. He plays an easy-going, confused man who doesn’t want to talk about his maladies; he just wants to live from day to day, come what may. Conversation between the Joneses isn’t easy, despite how much Jennifer would appreciate it. These two actors easily fill these roles and continually complement each other.

One of Shattered Globe’s favorite actors, Joseph Wiens is great here as John Jones. His quirky, off-the-wall behavior and illogically constructed conversation is very funny, while also sometimes thought-provoking. The secret he’s hidden from his wife comes as a revelation to the audience, while serving to unite the two men. Lovely Courtney McKenna returns to this theatre company as Pony. Playing the sweet, genuine young airhead wife, who has an online greeting card company, Ms. McKenna is lovable and hilarious. Altogether, this quartet of truly gifted actors become an ensemble worthy of Will Eno’s unconventionally absurd play.

In addition to the hard, yet effortless-looking work of this cast and their director, the behind-the-scenes artists have contributed much to bring this production to life. Jack Magaw has inventively created a scenic design that allows the audience to peer into both Jones’ houses, along with their yards. His set is framed by a series of impressionistic canvases depicting the mountains. John Kelly’s lighting is evocative, both of various times of day, as well as the passing of the seasons. And composer/sound designer Christopher Kriz provides his own original musical score and a soundscape that includes chirping crickets, a hooting owl and fireworks that light up the sky. 

This new offering by Shattered Globe Theater is led by a talented director, bringing life to a fascinating script through the skill of four, accomplished actors, and supported by a team of gifted theatre artists. It all adds up to a wonderful, absurdist production that’s filled with interesting characters, spouting an array of non sequiturs and wise observations and creating unexpected humor that’s tinged with an air of mystery. They may not be real, but they’re the Realistic Joneses.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas              

Presented January 10-March 9 by Co-produced by Shattered Globe and Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to either www.shatteredglobe.or or www.theaterwit.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.