The Midnight Company will present the St. Louis Premiere of WAKEY WAKEY by Will Eno, July 16 through August 1, at The Chapel.

“Is it now?  I thought I had more time.”  These are the first words in the play, spoken by Guy, who knows, like all of us, on some level, that he is about to die.  In this very moving and very funny play, Eno challenges what is worth celebrating and what is worth treasuring in life.

The New York Times called it, “A glowingly dark, profoundly moving new play.”  Variety said WAKEY WAKEY was  “A work of humor, humanity and grace that makes you want to hug your lover, your neighbor and maybe an usher on the way out.  Eno breaks the fourth wall but here he also suggests a wondrous fifth.”

Ellie Schwetye will direct WAKEY WAKEY. Recently she directed and provided Sound Design for PPA’s FIRST IMPRESSIONS, and directed THE HEIDI CHRONICLES for New Jewish Theatre.  Upcoming, she will perform in Young Liars’ WILD NIGHTS. And Midnight’s Artistic Director Joe Hanrahan will play Guy.

Schwetye and Hanrahan have collaborated on several projects. For Schwetye’s SATE Ensemble company, including Hanrahan acting in ONE FLEA SPARE and DOCTOR FAUSTUS, or The Modern Prometheus, directed by Schwetye, as well as OF MICE AND MEN.  And Hanrahan directed Ellie in the two-hander CUDDLES for the company.

For Midnight, Schwetye has directed Hanrahan in LITTLE THING BIG THING, JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG and HERE LIES HENRY,  and acted with him in TINSEL TOWN (a Hanrahan script which won Outstanding New Play from the St. Louis Critics Theatre Circle.)

There is a second character in WAKEY WAKEY, Lis, who will be played byRachel Hanks.   And for Midnight, Ellie also directed Joe and Rachel Hanks in A MODEL FOR MATISSE.  Recent stage appearances by Rachel include THE MINUTES with Stray Dog and THE CHRISTIANS with West End.

More at MidnightCompany.com