The work features performers Thomas Bradshaw, Alex Delinois, James Fletcher, Marcia Hidalgo, Sibyl Kempson, and Brian Mendes.

The End of Reality is set in a "lobby-citadel," where, guards "attempt to secure a vulnerable area against unidentified intruders. The resulting confusion and conflict take the audience to a place that is both new and distinctly American."

Maxwell is known for using both professional actors and amateurs, and setting them in seemingly mundane and unremarkable places and situations. Typically, the characters divide their time between communicating in interchangeable monotones, devoid of inflection and emotion, and breaking out into power ballads (also penned by Maxwell) in which they express their ambitions and feelings in the cliched platitudes possible. Critics have mentioned the creative debts Maxwell owes to such artists as Beckett, Ionesco, Pinter and Richard Foreman, while also applauding him as a unique creative force in his own right.

His many works, which have toured the world, include House, Drummer Wanted, Boxing 2000, Showy Lady Slipper, Joe and Caveman. Once a constant presence Off-Broadway, he has had a lower profile since he staged a critically attacked version of Henry IV, Part One at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in fall 2003. Soon after the BAM run, a planned run at the Barbican Center of London's BITE:03 festival was canceled by the British arts organization.

The End of Reality was co-commissioned by The Kitchen as well as BITE:06 Barbican, London; Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Trust; Steirischer Herbst Festival 2006; The Walker Art Center; Judith and Richard Greer. Set and lighting design for Reality are by Eric Dyer. Costume design is by Kaye Voyce. Tickets are $15. The Kitchen is located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

Richard Maxwell's sister is the New York stage actress Jan Maxwell.