←Recommendations of A Moment of Clarity

(Posted 9/16/2024)

For adult children of aging parents, dementia is a horror story. In Philip Middleton Williams' excellent short play, father and son share some tender memories but the sense of dread that dementia creates is just under the surface — until it isn't. "A Moment of Clarity" is a beautiful and haunting short piece that's a gem for two actors, particularly two older actors.

This one will stay with you. It's an excellent short piece.

The call back at the end of this short play got me all emotional. In this short play Philip takes on the incredibly tough task of the situation that Clyde finds himself in. Dan, though is there, he's there to see it all the way through, to be the beacon, and once again Philip delivers authentic dialogue around a difficult situation.

Throughout this short play, I was in awe of the gentleness that Philip gives to Dan in his relationship with Clyde. Absolutely beautiful, well written, and impactful!

Philip Middleton Williams has written a painful, truthful situation for two characters to be played by older actors.

What I love about "A Moment of Clarity" is what isn't said. Clyde and Dan enjoy a moment of time and make the most of it, but they want more than just one -- who wouldn't? And they can't, and they know there may be fewer of them. And that hurts.

The smallest moments can be the most important, leave the biggest impression. Williams captures the emotion and love of one of these moments in this piece beautifully. A lovely short work, powerful and touching in its simplicity.

Very poignant play, which captures a tender moment between an elderly father and son. Powerful and honest, with two compelling roles.

Philip Middleton Williams's A MOMENT OF CLARITY is beautiful. It is the touching connection between a father and son during a moment of clarity in the father's dementia. Dand sits with his father Clkyde at a pharmacy waiting for a prescription when a moment of clarity hits. Windows like this open briefly and are rare and so the two make the most of it. This show is masterfully written. It's a powerful show that will stay with you.

Touching, tender, and absolutely terrifying at the same time when you think about getting older and not having control. This is a beautiful play; simple and truthful.

In A MOMENT OF CLARITY, there are so many beautiful moments and bittersweet recollections that its hard to believe the play is only 10 minutes. Philip Middleton Williams created a universe of memories between father and son with revelations that make their relationship so dynamic and meaningful. This play is a delight for actors and a director to interpret the moments that shine so brightly on the page.

There are always windows of opportunity. It's just sometimes, even most of the time, those windows are closed. But they're there, waiting to open again.

Clyde and Dan's open window kind of sneaks up on them. But once they realize it, they grab it. They both know they don't have much time and there's a lot of ground to cover: a lot of love to bestow and hope to convey.

Williams sets the play in the most mundane of places, proving a perfect counterpoint to the specialness of the moment.

Powerful, resonant, a perfect two-hander for mature actors.

What I love about this play is that the playwright didn't go for the obvious, but instead shows moments of connection that the characters still share. It's a touching, moving story about family, love, and dealing with the painful realities of life in a hopeful way.