The Samuel French description of this script is, "As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities.”
But must they decide? Can they tell the difference? Can the audience?
Director Miranda Sue Hartmann guides four talented actors through Will Eno's challenging script. The desperately cheerful Jennifer is deftly played by Debbie Lundeen, trying to engage her under-communicative spouse Bob (Michael Phelps). New neighbors Pony and John (Rachel Mender and Joe Dickson) pop in and liven up the party. Joe gives John a smart-ass edge, and Rachel is effervescent as his wife, Pony.
We eventually learn that both husbands suffer from Harriman Leavey Syndrome, a fictional degenerative nerve disease which is a specialty of a local doctor. The couples prattle on and reach out to each other. Eno’s witty non sequiturs dance along to build a strange story of looming existential crisis. It’s melancholy, unsettling and funny.
Chris Jones, a Chicago Tribune critic wrote this cryptic description: “If you like marital comedies and hate them both at the same time, this is your show.”
The Realistic Joneses plays only THREE MORE TIMES, by Over the Ledge Theatre, guest-performing at Riverwalk Theatre’s Black Box. 8pm Fri/Sat; 2pm Sunday. Get tickets ($10-$12, plus credit card processing fees) at http://overtheledge.org or by calling 517-318-0579 — or at the door.