←Recommendations of Revival

Revival, the revival of a writing partnership and a relationship – “two white guys from the suburbs growing up, coming out, falling in and out of love, dealing with all the little fuck-ups of the human condition, gay or otherwise.” Scott wants to write about “us,” about what he really knows. And that’s what Philip Middleton Williams does so well. There’s some inside baseball here about theatre and agents, and it’s all terrific. Revival had me leaning in from the first page. Bravo!

Once again, Philip Middleton Williams never fails to amaze me with his work! Revival is a wonderful play that brings two writers back together after five years. But they also must reconcile their past differences and try to learn how to write together again, even if they think they have nothing more to say. Some parts made me laugh, and some parts made me very warm and happy. Revival is the story that brings new ones to life, and brings old partners back together! Wonderful Work Philip!

I devoured this play. In REVIVAL, the brilliant Philip Middleton Williams takes a vulnerable, honest look at a career in playwriting, asking the fundamental question, "At what point do I run out of things to say?" that haunts many of us the more plays we put on the shelf. A full-length three-hander laced with Williams' signature slice-of-life wit and characters grounded in reality and full of life. Those of us who have been in the industry a couple years will especially appreciate this play.

Wonderful "revival" here indeed. I especially resonated with one of the main points: the fear of unwittingly, repeatedly telling the same story. But ah, what about a new "Event Horizon"? New stories, possibilities? That's tantalizing and what you get in this funny and touching examination of a unique partnership. I love the details that PMW provides, and I smiled and laughed throughout at the joys, stresses, highs, and lows of creation. A consistently enjoyable time spent with these characters.

In Revival, Philip Middleton Williams weaves a compelling tale about two estranged creative partners and their well-intentioned agent coming together to rekindle a spark that was lost years ago. Williams explores the obstacles in the path of creative and personal growth, and the challenge of beginning again, long after believing you have nothing left to say. Playwrights will appreciate these characters journeys, and audience will adore Williams’ wit, humor and insight. Truly excellent.

Two old writing partners, whose careers have since gone in different directions, decide to get back together to write one more play. As usual with Williams' plays, we are given warmth, humor and real characters in real situations. There is no good guy vs. bad guy here, just 2 men (well, 3 including their agent) simply trying to sort things out and move forward in their lives.

I enjoyed this play on so many levels. There's the Scott - Deke dynamic, a friendship (and love) entangled with creative aspiration and big existential questions about why creatives do what they do. Why DO we write? This complexity gave the relationship a lustre, a humanity and warmth, which is typical Williams. The dialogue had a wit and sparkle which had me laughing out loud on many occasions. The answers this play provides are in no way contrived, but occur organically with warmth and charm.

04.20.25 - I recommend this play alone for the treatment of the supposed telemarketer on page 1 of this play. As for the rest, we're gifted with wonderful flesh-and-blood creations you're invested in (even Marvin the agent). Scott and Deke, estranged from each other for the last 5 years, are on the verge of reforming their writing partnership, but the emotional baggage Scott still carries threatens to derail that. This is warm, charming, alive and so deserving to be staged. I loved it.

This is a smart play about smart, weathered adults trying to resume their friendship and professional partnership after time apart. There is nothing sinister going on here, and that's good, because there is plenty of genuine emotion and thoughtful storytelling to be mined from grown-ups talking seriously about their lives and professions, their disappointments and aspirations. There is such a warm naturalism from the dialogue and the single setting of the play.

Scott and Deke were successful playwriting partners (and lovers) but they've been estranged for years. Their agent (and his bosses) want them to get back together and write not only for the stage but, more profitably, for films. Can they revive their joint career, possibly their love affair, and one of their old plays for a new medium? Once again Williams has given us believable characters to care about (even the agent) in a work that lives up to the high standards Williams has set for himself.