As Zeke Pappas introduces his life to us, it appears he’s got it under control. He is director of GMHI, the Greater Midwest Humanities Initiative in Madison Wisconsin. He and his mother provide loving care for his two young nieces. But appearances are deceiving. As we began to see Zeke through the eyes of those around him, it is evident he’s on shaky ground. The tragedies of his life are catching up with him. He’s a young widower, his brother was killed in Iraq, and the Department of Departmental Compliance and Oversight is investigating GMHI. To add to the stress, Zeke must find a wife if he wants to keep custody of his nieces. Will it be the cute Starbucks barista who loves Zeke’s uncanny ability to guess the drink orders of perfect strangers, the attractive newly divorced neighbor, or the single mom who is his administrative assistant? Who knows, he’s always fantasized about Sophia Coppola, maybe she’ll come through for him. A kind evaluation would be that Zeke is overly optimistic, but totally clueless is closer to the truth. Will Zeke get it figured out? He takes us on a wild, funny, ironic and surprisingly tender ride and, in spite of how annoyingly obtuse he can be, you’ve got to root for him.

Marsha