One recipe for a lovely night at the theater combines good material with excellent direction and an outstanding ensemble cast. Drama Dock’s current co-production with Open Space — “Becky’s New Car” — takes the cake on all counts.
Elise Morrill, in a breakout performance as Becky Foster, is every woman who’s ever felt stuck in her life as “support” for husband, job and family. When a socially inept and grief-stricken millionaire stumbles into her orbit with the promise of a whole new life, she instinctually grabs that brass ring for the ride of her life. And, she takes the audience with her.
Staged in the round, “Becky’s New Car” creates an atmosphere of secret-sharing primarily with Becky as she struggles with her decisions and desires. Morrill and the cast remain on their toes throughout, ready to ad lib with audience members they recruit to help with the action, thus amplifying the sense of intimate complicity. All this just adds to the poignant hilarity of what turns out to be a jolting speed bump in all seven characters’ lives.
All the characters in playwright Steven Dietz’ script are well drawn in their self-absorbed impact on Becky’s predicament. Marshall Murray as Becky’s husband Joe is the perfect blend of oblivious, tender and shocked as he discovers his wife’s secret. Michael Shook, as the millionaire, aptly portrays a man accustomed to having his way despite the objections of those around him. Ryan Alumbaugh, as Becky’s freeloading 20-something son, is painfully amusing in his youthful arrogance. Harris Levinson is the quintessential used car salesman — with a heart. Joy Ghiglieri is sweetly elegant as the innocent ingénue and Lisa Breen makes a solid cameo appearance as a recovering trust fund baby.
Amid the humor, Dietz plants themes for mid-life in America, such as the fact that control is an illusion, with lines like, “Life is chaos with holidays.” And, some notes on aging, “Things narrow as we age and the unexpected fades.” Agree or not, the opportunity to think sneaks in on the waves of laughter.
The story behind the story is that Dietz was commissioned by Benita Staadecker’s husband to write a play as a gift to his wife. “Becky’s New Car” was originally produced by ACT Theatre in Seattle for Benita.
For Vashon audiences, “Becky’s New Car” is another standout comedy — with flawless timing — achieved under the direction of Michael Barker who hit a home run last year with “Curious Savage.”
“Becky’s New Car” plays in the round at the Open Space for Arts & Community at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com and at the door … if you’re lucky.
