BWW Reviews: MIDDLEMEN Resonates for Audiences at NJ Rep

The New Jersey premiere of middlemen is now being performed at New Jersey Repertory Company through December 8th. Written by David Jenkins and directed by Marc Geller, it is an intriguing portrayal of two men whose lives intersect as office mates in a large financial firm. The play reveals an intense and comedic relationship between the co-workers. Effective staging and superb acting make middlemen a must-see for area audiences.

Stan, played by Duncan Rogers, is a self confessed "functioning alcoholic" whose work routine focuses more on milk for his coffee and regular shots of booze than the necessity to complete the company's annual report. Stan is distracted by his personal issues: a problematic 5 year old son and marital tensions.

Michael, played by David Friedlander, is an insecure young man who is disillusioned with his career. Michael soon realizes there is something very wrong at the company; his immediate boss and entire divisions of the company are mysteriously disappearing.

When the two men receive repeated phone calls accusing them of creating a false statistical report, Michael states nervously, "I may have bankrupted Bolivia." And, as they plan a course of action, Stan attempts to deflect the blame. He tells Michael, "You're not important," and "We're not the guys who make the deals here."

In a last ditch effort to do something "important" with their work, Stan and Michael spend a long night compiling a outrageous report consisting with everything from a Civil War pie chart to information about cats and their enemies. It is in this frenzy of activity that they communicate unexpected personal revelations.

middlemen will resonate with everyone. David Jenkins wrote the play just prior to the 2007 explosion of the financial crisis. middlemen has universal appeal; a pertinent piece that carefully incorporates humor and offers a sense of humanity even in the depths of business despair.

New Jersey Repertory Company is a professional theater located in Long Branch New Jersey. They showcase and develop new plays with the mission to keep theater thought provoking and important. For tickets to middlemen and upcoming shows, visit their web site, www.njrep.org or call (732) 229-3166.

Photo Credit: Marc Geller