The Realistic Joneses

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Realistic Joneses

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 2m

Will Eno

In The Realistic Joneses, we meet Bob and Jennifer and their new neighbors, John and Pony, two suburban couples who have even more in common than their identical homes and their shared last names. As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities.

Image: 2012 Yale Repertory Theatre Production (Joan Marcus)

The Realistic Joneses

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee! 2014 Outer Critics Circle Award
    Nominee! 2014 Drama League Award
The Realistic Joneses

Details

Summary
As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities.
History

The Realistic Joneses premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre under the direction of Sam Gold, before appearing on Broadway in 2014. 

Keywords
Performing Groups
BOB JONES - Jennifer's husband
JENNIFER JONES - Bob's wife
JOHN JONES - Bob and Jennifer's new neighbor; husband to Pony
PONY JONES - Bob and Jennifer's new neighbor; wife to John
  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting One of these little towns near the mountains.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"Playwright Will Eno's relationship with language is one of the most refreshing and energising things you can witness on stage today." - WhatsOnStage

"... deeply felt snapshot of everything that makes us human."- WhatsOnStage

"Plays as funny and moving, as wonderful and weird as The Realistic Joneses, by Will Eno, do not appear often on Broadway. Or ever, really." - The New York Times, Read More

"Mr. Eno’s voice may be the most singular of his generation, but it’s humane, literate and slyly hilarious. He makes the most mundane language caper and dance, revealing how absurd attempts at communication can be. He also burrows into the heart of his characters to reveal the core of their humanity: the fear and loneliness and unspoken love that mostly remains hidden beneath the surface as we plug away at life, come what may...For all the sadness woven into its fabric, The Realistic Joneses brought me a pleasurable rush virtually unmatched by anything I’ve seen this season." - The New York Times, Read More

"Eno’s dialogue is a marvel of compression and tonal control, trivial chitchat flipping into cosmic profundity with striking ease [...] there’s much to savor: the dry but meaningful banter, the joy of humans sharing time and space, battling the darkness with a joke or silence. Life in Enoland isn’t what you’d call realistic — it’s more real than that." - Time Out New York, Read More

"[...] each line is sharply refined with dry wit and packed with underlying meaning. The characters are written with impressive realism [...]" - The Oregonian, Read More 

"Will Eno has written a play of such extraordinary wit and insight, so carefully constructed, it resonates for days. Lines of dialogue peal through your thoughts like distant bells." - Edge Media, Read More

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Videos

  • First Look at THE REALISTIC JONSES youtube thumbnail

    First Look at THE REALISTIC JONSES

  • Broadway Cast of THE REALISTIC JONSES youtube thumbnail

    Broadway Cast of THE REALISTIC JONSES

  • THE REALISTIC JONESES at Yale Rep youtube thumbnail

    THE REALISTIC JONESES at Yale Rep

  • Opening Night of THE REALISTIC JONSES youtube thumbnail

    Opening Night of THE REALISTIC JONSES

Photos

  • The Realistic Joneses

    Image: 2015 Third Rail Repertory Theatre Production (Owen Carey)

  • The Realistic Joneses

    Image: 2012 Yale Repertory Theatre Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
    This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

Scripts

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Authors

Will Eno

Will Eno

Playwright Will Eno recently completed the Residency Five Fellowship at the Signature Theatre, which premiered his play Title and Deed in 2012,  The Open House in 2014, and Wakey, Wakey in 2017. Will’s play The Underlying Chris premiered at 2nd Stage Theatre in October 2019, ...

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