NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance will present Will Eno’s Middletown this February 28 through March 4. The play is directed by Kay Martinovich. Performances are at the Huntley Middle School Auditorium, 1515 S. Fourth St. in DeKalb. Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance upcoming production of Middletown, written by Will Eno, explores small town life through the eyes of the colorful residents that inhabit it.  Join the School of Theatre and Dance on this journey, opening on February 28 at the Huntley Middle School Auditorium, 1515 S. Fourth St. in DeKalb.

“What does it mean to be alive? How do we live moment-to-moment?” says director Kay Martinovich.

Middletown explores these questions by detailing the friendship of long-time Middletown resident, John Dodge, and new resident, Mary Swanson, and how the world around them shapes who they are. The play travels throughout various moments in one’s life, touching on everything from birth to death. Written less than a decade ago, Middletown reflects not only the joyous moments but the painful ones as well.

This piece is one that Martinovich describes as “philosophical but quirky,” having subject matter dealing with loneliness, addiction, finding your place in life, and much more. Middletown is relevant to issues of today and looks at what it is like to be alive in the 21st century.

Differing from the typical narrative of any story or play, Middletown features a “disjoint narrative,” meaning that it weaves throughout various times of our lives and touches on the little things that most would normally gloss over in everyday life. Middletown is about “appreciating the little things in life,” says Martinovich.

Performances will be held at Huntley Middle School’s main auditorium, 1515 S. Fourth St. in DeKalb. Show times will start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday with a matinee on Saturday as well.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $14 for seniors, $9 for students and $6 for children. Ticket reservations or additional information is available by contacting the NIU School of Theatre and Dance box office at (815)753-1600, or online at the School of Theatre and Dance website at http://www.niu.edu/theatre/productions/mainstage/index.shtml