Middletown

[rating=3] How many of you thought that the Apollo Theater on Lincoln Avenue was closed for remodeling? I knew that the rest of the building was redone and assumed that the theater was as well. Last night we attended the opening of “Middletown” at this venue and nothing had changed. Well, perhaps it is cleaner and the sweat of the work that was contained within, “Million Dollar Quartet) is now gone. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Jerry Lee, Carl, Johnny and Elvis have left the building. In its place, a simple story about ordinary people, People just like those seated in the theater, brought to life by four icons of theater and Television ( and perhaps a film or two). The cast is composed of Sandy Duncan ( who looks great), Donny Most ( if you loved “Happy Days” you will recall him, Adrian Zmed ( of Grease II and T.J. Hooker fame) and our own Kate Buddeke ( one of my favorite Chicago actresses ).  They are fun to watch and remind us of our youth.

For those of us on Social Security, the story that is told in “Middletown” is one of meeting, friending, riding each other’s life cycle events and sad as it might be, death. Written by Dan Clancy, who opted to have this story told without a set, props and costumes in order to keep the focus on the four characters and their intertwining with each other. In fact the stage is set with four chairs and lecterns and that is it! For 90 minutes (no intermission) we listen to them tell us of their relationships with each other and as couples over a 33 years period. From the day that the two women meet at school until the last one standing tells us her plans for the future.

Sandy Duncan ( far from her “Peter Pan” days) is adorable as first our emcee. then as Peg meets Dotty ( Buddeke is amazing and plays the audience with great skill. By the way, there are a few places where they want audience participation…respond! Their husbands are Tom ( Zmed is much different than you might remember, if you do remember him) and  Don ( Most is still a little bit Ralh Malph, but maybe Malph was a little bit Donny Most).  Don and Dotty add most of the comedy to this saga.

In many ways this is a story that will cause each of us to think about our own lives and friends. Contained within these stories are some tragic moments ( September 11th) and learning experiences about life and love as well as the meaning of friendship. I am not sure as to how young people might react to the stories of these people but those in their 60’s will take a roller coaster ride themselves thinking of their own lives and relationships. They will think back about that best friend who may have passed and all the ups and downs they experienced. While it appears to be a “reading” production, let me tell you, they hardly looked at a script and the emotions of the characters were real.

The show travels the country using many others to play the characters. They rotate with others such as Cindy Williams, Anson Williams, Sally Struthers and Didi Conn. Often I hear people ask about some of these old timers from TV and now we know they are still out there and still bringing us joy.

“Middletown” will only be here through  March 22nd ( unless they can extend) with performances as follows:

Tickets are $65

Show Type: Comedy/Drama

Box Office: 773-935-6100 or online at www.apollochicago.com

The Apollo Theater is located at 2540 N. Lincoln Avenue. There is a parking lot next door and plenty of street parking, some metered, some free.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Middletown”.