Theater Review: "The Realistic Joneses" by CTAW

Woodbury - “The Realistic Joneses” is an odd play that was commissioned by and premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre. It was written by Will Eno.

The Community Theatre at Woodbury (CTAW) production of the play has been two years in the making. The pandemic shut down prevented the group from presenting the show two years ago, and when it was rescheduled for this month, COVID forced the cancellation of the first two weekends. Almost unbelievably, the production that opened on Thursday evening featured the same cast and crew from its inception.

The play is about how to keep up with your neighbors, the “Joneses.”

Director Sarah Robards, a New York City natiave and Woodbury resident since 1986, notes in the printed program that “The Realistic Joneses,” at first glance might seem to be a “dramatic comedy about illness, decline, and the ‘D’ word. But at its core, it is a play about life, being human, and how we deal with life’s uncertainties.”

Robards is grateful to her cast for their “steadfast devotion to ‘The Realistic Joneses,’ which has grown and developed over time in ways we couldn’t have anticipated. A positive takeaway in the passage of time,” she adds, “is that it gave us the opportunity to discover so much more about the play, the characters, and ourselves.”

The talented cast of four that have rehearsed together longer than most are able to work together easily. As the older Jones couple, Tom Mendicino of Southbury takes on the role of Bob and Alena Cybart-Persenaire plays his wife Jennifer.

Cybart-Persenaire makes her CTAW debut in the role of the nurturing Jennifer, but she has appeared on the stages at Hole in the Wall, New Britain’s Repertory, and Cheshire Community Theatre. Mendocino, who returned to the stage as Michael in CTAW’s 2018 production of “God of Carnage” after 20+ years, was part of the company’s “The Laramie Project.”

As their new neighbors, JoJo Keane of Newtown appears as Pony and Michael L. Bolinski of Waterbury plays her husband John. Bolinski most recently directed the stage adaptation of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” for the Theatre Guild of Simsbury and previously appeared on the CTAW stage as Michael in “Dancing at Lughnasa.” Keane makes her theater debut as an actor in this role and does very well indeed. She calls the experience of keeping this production alive for the last 26 months “most surreal, yet very real” and notes that she learned a lot “as the words from the play have simmered into my real life.”

While the writing might not appeal to all patrons, it got easier as my ears got used to the rhythm of the dialogue. There is some wry comedy that lightens the script. When the young couple mention the importance of the good reputation of the neighborhood schools, Pony adds “John hates stupid children.” Ok, then.

My companion and I were impressed that the four cast members were able to memorize the multitude of often disconnected lines and remember them for over two years.

Director Sarah Robards, who gave a memorable performance in CTAW’s “Love Letters,” makes clever use of the space in the old town hall, with the audience level of the room that would usually serve as the pit area used as various settings. Robard’s set design on the stage contains the backyard of Bob & Jennifer and the kitchen of John & Pony. The Town of Woodbury and Park & Rec graciously allowed the set to remain in Historic Old Town Hall for the past two years.

The sound design included the sound of crickets in the backyard, grocery story music, bells ringing (that may have been outside) and the sound of keeping a hot air balloon aloft. Bill Geddes designed the effective lighting

The play is presented without intermission and contains twelve scenes. There are a few four-letter words in the script.

The performances originally scheduled for May 20 - 22 were changed to May 26 - 28. All ticket holders were contacted; all purchases will be honored at the newly scheduled dates, or your purchase can be refunded.

Two performances remain. Friday May 27, and Saturday May 28 - All performances at 7:30 pm.

The CTAW’s ninth season is scheduled to include “Nunsense,” directed by Maureen Devner with music direction by Lynne Kearney, “One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall” in December, “The Nerd by Larry Shue, which will be directed by Tim Phillips, in March of 2023, and “The Fantastics” proposed in May.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theater news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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