←Recommendations of Tucumcari Tonite!

A new twist on a buddy story, this delightful play sustains interest with its two quirky characters, fully realized but full of surprises, and a wonderfully visualized setting in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. It's nice to see how the relationship between the two characters evolves during the play and the Inge reference was nicely done, especially if you know the significance of it to the playwright. Well done and hope it gets lots of productions.

New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment" and "Tucumcari" has the sound of a shaman's incantation. To the two men who have chosen to sleep rough out in the desert its magic would be manifest as soft beds and hot showers in the town's selection of 1200 motel rooms. Well, since they are handcuffed together and one man has a gun, the choice to sleep out wasn't necessarily unanimous. Their conversation as the sun slowly rises reveals two very human guys caught up in an unusual and dangerous situation. Another fine play by Williams.

Philip Middleton Williams takes the buddy comedy format and completely turns it on its head in this compelling, fast-paced and hilarious play. I laughed out loud throughout most of it, especially when he subverts our expectations of who we think Tony and Alex should be. "Tucumcari Tonite!" is a brilliant two-hander that would be great to see on a stage. I loved this play, and I hope Tony finds happiness in his new life. Well done!

You wouldn't think a play about a couple of 'tough guys' would be described as charming, but the relationship these two characters form in a very short time is both funny and warm. Even though Williams does a wonderful job of landscaping this play - you can almost smell the sage! - this one-act could be easily performed with only a couple cubes. It's a true testament to the writer's ability to imbue his snappy dialogue with such rich details, an elaborate set simply isn't necessary. 'Tucumcari Tonight' is a quick, breezy read with a lot of heart.

On first reading this play I was struck by the gentle way in which the story unfolded. How, the wonderful dialogue and setting just drew you into what turns out to be unexpected and invigorating and heart-warming. Characters are drawn in full three dimensions, something which Philip Middleton Williams achieves with an ease which belies the difficulty in achieving the feat. Creative, warm and moving. A superb piece of work.

I enjoyed the setting and circumstances where we first meet Alex and Tony. This is an entertaining script with two characters with distinct voices, who incrementally create a meaningful relationship as they overcome their own reticence to reach out to each other. What ultimately results is a personal connection that is satisfying to observe.

You know the old saying, "you don't really know a man until you've spent the night handcuffed to him in the desert." Even after you wake up, even after a long car ride together, it still takes a conversation. Among Tony and Alex's skills, conversation is at the top of the list. Williams gives us two guys who are more or less on the same side but are still cautious. This is true of their circumstances and their conversation. A delight to read out loud and a gift for actors, the play presents a lovely nascent friendship.

A heartfelt dialogue in an unlikely place being had by two unlikely men about an unlikely subject. Other playwrights wouldn't be able to pull those disparate parts together, but Philip Middleton Williams isn't other playwrights. He creates a hilarious circumstance and shifts it subtly toward the more serious and more deeper exploration of fatherhood, regret, addiction, and shame. It's a lovely two-hander that will stay with you after reading or seeing this show.

Philip Middleton Williams pairs two unlikely people in a desert, and what follows is a hopeful and comedic exchange that discusses art, life, and their futures endeavors. It’s a play that’s simply excellent; a blend of the minimalist found in the absurd, but delivered with this maximum exuberance found in Williams’s writing style. On top of all of this, “Tucumcari Tonite!” would be very easy to stage and produce, which is an added bonus to an already fantastic script. Any writers who are looking to do a lot with a little should consider reading this script.

What a delightful, funny, and unexpectedly sweet buddy comedy. Williams’ always engaging way with characters and quips is on full display here, as his talent for layering poignant longing underneath the surface bravado. A field day for two actors, this is a wonderful one act play I'd love to see staged.