Becky’s New Car
Unitarian Universalist Church — May 9-17 ($10-13)
The name Steven Dietz may not come to mind when theatre-goers think of playwrights, but his plays are some of the most produced in America. In fact, according to the Theatre Communication Group, Dietz’s plays are produced as much as (if not more than) those of Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee or George Bernard Shaw. So, why is he not as well known? Perhaps because he is a favorite among regional theatres instead of Broadway.
Dreamwell Theatre is producing Dietz’s 2008 comedy Becky’s New Car, a finalist for the American Theatre Critics Association’s Steinberg New Play Award. Middle-aged Becky has a job at a car dealership that’s stable but uninspiring. Her husband and son are loving but predictable. An encounter with a rich widower leads to an opportunity for excitement, but should Becky take the chance? Dietz uses a mixture of comedy and poignancy to examine the allure of “what if” that strikes when a woman thinks all of her big decisions are behind her.
Directed by Brian Tanner, Becky’s New Car has audience participation built into the plot. If you attend a performance, you might have the opportunity to voice your opinion on Becky’s predicament, or even help her along in her journey.
