←Recommendations of The Country Squire

THE COUNTRY SQUIRE is a beautifully wrought tale of family history (two families, actually), entitlement, exclusion, and acceptance. The line between characters who have lived a life of privilege and those who have lived a life of service is often subtle but still apparent, making for a satisfying conclusion. I often feel as though I’m taking a master class when I read a Philip Middleton Williams play. Add this one to the curriculum.

In a play that both echoes and honors Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Williams brings us into a very important weekend at the Simmons' summer home. He does a masterful job at keeping things moving while always taking his time. There are many relatable moments, as the family dynamic plays out. Sparkling dialogue, lots of rich details, and a couple of significant plot tilts will make this a surefire winner as a full production.

This play is a warm summer breeze. If you are a fan of Chekhov, this piece will feel familiar to you even with its modern-day American setting. That’s high praise. Williams provides an interesting situation, populates it with rich characters and sprinkles in crackling dialogue creating a memorable theatrical experience. I took special delight in the nice twist at the end with the “townies” acting as deus ex machina. I was left feeling amused and nostalgic. So well done.

With more than a nod to Anton Chekhov and "The Cherry Orchard," Philip Middleton Williams focuses on a large set of characters, their squabbles and alliances, misguided aspirations and banal realities. The central plot point is solved with barely a splash, but it's the resulting ripples the audience witnesses. Good stuff.

Philip Middleton Williams has written a heartfelt family piece about who we love, choices that have to be made, and moving forward. Beautiful things can happen when we truly listen to each other and our needs.

A slice of life story about family, legacy and what people feel entitled to after a life of comfort. There are plenty of characters to relate to for someone and their stories are all rich and deserving to be heard. This play shows that you don't have to OWN something to still love and enjoy it.

Plays about the American family will always have a voice in the American theater. In "The Country Squire", a family of quite a unique set of individuals gathers to discuss the acquisition of land. What unfolds is all that makes Philip Middleton Williams an engaging, enduring playwright, with wit and human warmth to spare. As well as a few riffs on Chekhov and "The Cherry Orchard".

05.28.26 - An examination of family ties through the class prism, Philip Middleton Williams' play gives us a group of characters pushing and pulling each other to get their piece of the pie. Characters are well-rounded and three-dimensional. No one is a flat protagonist or antagonist. Williams is skilled at keeping them sounding and acting like actual people, not fictionalized avatars. This was moving and a piece that I think will stay with you.

A lovely exploration of family dynamics with all their affection and resentments and undertow. Histories are revealed and current tensions - between siblings and within marriages - abound. These are all layered, well-defined, and engaging characters. The sheer decency of the caretakers who offer the family salvation is moving and heartening. And it was nice to see the titular Country Squire taken out for a spin.

A poignant, expertly crafted exploration of family legacy and the meaning of home
. Set on Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, the play balances sharp humor with a moving look at aging and class. Its heartwarming twist - where caretakers preserve history - is masterful. With rich roles for diverse ages, it’s a stellar choice for any theater seeking a resonant, character-driven drama.