Description
CHARACTERS
PAUL HENDERSON: Late thirties, gay, college professor, in good shape.
ADAM CONNOLLY: Mid-thirties, Paul’s partner; strong, with a dry wit.
FOX ENGSTROM: Fifteen, well-built, smart and polite.
JIM HENDERSON: Mid-sixties; Paul’s father.
DOROTHY HENDERSON: Mid-sixties; Paul’s mother.
JULIE ENGSTROM: Late thirties; Fox’s mother.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
All Together Now was first presented as part of the PLAYte series produced by New Theatre of Miami at Mina’s Mediterraneo in Miami, Florida, on December 16, 2015. It was directed by Steven A. Chambers and Erik J. Rodriguez with the following cast:
Paul……………………………………………………..…………………Kenneth Averett-Clark
Adam……………………………………………………..…………………….….Carlos Alayeto
Fox……………………………………………………….………………Jonathan Mitzenmacher
Jim……………………………………………………….……………………………Joel Kolker
Dorothy………………………………………………….………………………… Joanne Marsic
Julie………………………………………………………………………………Nicole Quintana
All Together Now was first presented in a full production by The Playgroup LLC at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton, Florida, on March 2, 2018. It was directed by Joyce Sweeney; scene design by Tom Andrew; stage managed by Robin Paulive. The cast, in order of appearance, was as follows:
Paul……………………………………………..……………………….….…Richard Weinstock
Adam…………………………………………..…………………………………Patrick Sheehan
Fox…………………………………………….……………………………….….…Eytan Deray
Jim……………………………………………………….…………………………David Ehrlich
Dorothy………………………………………………….………………….……Brenda Aulbach
Julie………………………………………………….………………………….…Fran Friedman
RUNNING TIME
APPROX 2 HOURS
REVIEWS
Recommendations from the New Play Exchange
The piece begins with a situation that could be as easily played for laughs as for drama, yet Williams skillfully manages to have it both ways, sometimes in the same line of dialogue. In the course of the story we see both the fragility and the resiliency of the extended family. The inciting incident is a seemingly offhand visit with ripples that force everyone to confront issues long buried and ultimately find the strength to create deeper bonds. Williams’s ability to portray complex family dynamics with such elegance and simplicity is absolutely masterful. – Maximillian Gill
In this sweet and gentle family drama, precocious teenager Fox turns up at the home of gay dad Paul who never knew his son existed. Complications ensue as to who will bring the boy up, with everyone from Paul’s boyfriend Adam to his parents Jim and Dorothy to Fox’s mother Julie wanting their say. And Fox wants his say too. There are bumps along the road, but eventually a resolution is achieved on all sides in this pleasingly written play, which makes subtle commentary on what it means to be married, a parent, and a teenager today. – Larry Rinkel
A big family drama in compact form, this 21st century story rightly accepts the new domestic order as the new normal and focuses more on the traditional familial challenges – love, marriage, and children. There’s plenty of tension in this play that is wonderfully punctured by humor at all the right times. Very real people in very real circumstances delightfully written in Philip Middleton Williams’ signature style that adeptly probes and illuminates intimate relationships – especially between parent and child. A lovely play that’s easy to produce. – Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos
PREVIEW
Preview available here