←Recommendations of All Together At Last

It all hits at once. The death of Paul’s dad. The appearance of Will who’s spent the night with P.J. The arrival of Dorothy that’s followed by the arrival of Fox. And then, to top it off, the arrival of Gene, Will’s alcohol-abusing father. In lesser hands, the story of these characters with all the emotions, decisions, and conflict (some physical) could be muddled. But Williams masterfully weaves it all together in a moving, heartfelt tapestry, a fitting next chapter in the saga of this family.

It's always wonderful to revisit these characters, all fleshed out so well that they're as familiar as real people. However, the play doesn't reside in easy familiarity but instead derives its power from forcing these characters to take on new and uneasy situations. Watching this family band together to face down an abuser is a delight, and the confrontation itself is both tense and peppered with Williams's characteristically deft brand of humor. I am also impressed by the subtle way the writer adds references to the previous plays in the series to allow this piece to stand on its own.

Poignant, funny, and full of heart and love, Philip Middleton Williams' "All Together" series has been on my list of favorite plays for a while, and this concluding play is a fantastic end to the series. It was so nice to see Adam, Fox, Paul, and Dorothy(someone I'd like to portray when I'm old enough--she's that brilliant) again and P.J. and Will were welcome additions to this quirky awesome family. Warmed my heart and a play series that should be produced often.

One feels all the feels in this sweet, touching conclusion to Williams' "All Together..." series of plays. Continuing with his strong focus on a non-traditional family and their ups and downs over a 25 year period, Williams ends his saga with grace, charm, and a heartfelt plea for love and acceptance. Wonderful characters – and a great role for an elderly actress – make this as eminently produceable as the other plays in this series; how wonderful it would be to see them in rep over the course of a few nights. All together, as they should be.