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Which Way to the Beach by Philip Middleton Williams

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  • Ian Donley:
    31 Mar. 2024
    “ Philip Middleton Williams' WHICH WAY TO THE BEACH is a short yet insightful exploration of the fear parents has trying to protect their children (even grown-up ones) in a world of homophobia. Williams masterfully writes out the parents with complexity that has the audience wondering how much of their fear is genuine and how much does it stem from their own internalized homophobia. I loved it! ”
  • Brent Alles:
    30 Mar. 2024
    “ Very enjoyable piece! Nicely drawn characters, snappy back and forth between all involved, and some good statements made in terms of societal mores and familial expectations. Then come the very funny twists at the end that really hit well in terms of how the situation was set up and then subverted right in front of our eyes. A piece of theater that should make a very good impression on those who view it. ”
  • John Busser:
    27 Oct. 2021
    “ A great blending of drama and comic farce, Which Way to the Beach is a terrific play about family dynamics and mistaken identity. Philip Middleton Williams has assembled a nicely diverse cast of characters, some of whom are refreshingly against type (the cop who so loves his son, he treats potential suitors as suspects to be interrogated, to make sure they are good enough). As the confusion about who's really who builds, the play ramps up in hilarious fashion. But it also says something about acceptance and being realistic about it as well. Great stuff! ”
  • Rene Zabel:
    8 Oct. 2021
    “ Phillip gives us a humorous and believable look into real life. The parents were honest and real, though lost. I say lost because of the notion of “what would the world think” attitudes. I say real, because I’ve heard this conversation in my own family, unfortunately, the conversation didn’t change anything. But, here, in What Way to the Beach, I believe there is a small inkling of change. ”
  • Adam Richter:
    30 Mar. 2021
    “ Philip Middelton Williams messes with your expectations perfectly in this laugh-out-loud funny play about mistaken identity. George and Marjorie are endearing as the fish-out-of-water Midwestern couple in South Beach, and the surprising reveal at the play's climax is a fantastic twist. This would be a hoot to stage. ”
  • Doug DeVita:
    25 Sep. 2020
    “ This is a fun comedy of mounting errors and mistaken identities, peppered with sly bon mots and withering quips that barely hide the deeper issue bubbling underneath its witty surface: unconditional love and acceptance from the parental units. One hopes Marjorie, at least, will find her way to the beach. ”
  • Molly Wagner:
    17 Mar. 2020
    “ The characters drew me in immediatley and I was pulled in by their honesty and vulnerability as they discussed true acceptance and the poster of acceptance. I was not expecting the twists but I am oh so happy with how the ending tied up. The setting also felt like a character in itself, which I really enjoyed. So fun! ”
  • Eytan Deray:
    16 Oct. 2019
    “ Cute, fun little farce with a sincere message of love and acceptance at the center, plenty of cringe-inducing parent humor, and a nice twist at the end. Another strong piece by Philip Middleton Williams! ”
  • Julie Zaffarano:
    4 Oct. 2019
    “ Fun twists and turns in this family play. Parents have been embarrassing their children since beginning of time, but love and acceptance transcend the cringes. Well done. ”
  • Larry Rinkel:
    3 Jun. 2019
    “ This play (which somehow has the aroma of south Florida all through) turns some clichés upside down. Here it's the voluble big cop father who accepts his son's gay marriage, while the mother is more resistant. And watch that cell phone swallowing and breaking up consonants; it's a hint of the joke that lies ahead. Though the play basically turns on that one joke, it's a good one. Still, the best line: "We also do bar mitzvahs."
    ”

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