Theatre of Western Springs Presents 'Becky's New Car'

Submitted by the Theatre of Western Springs.

The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) presents the 2nd Forum play of the 86th season, “Becky’s New Car,” written by Steven Dietz and directed by TWS Artist-in-Residence Greg Kolack.

Performances take place Feb. 12 to Feb. 22 at Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. The play is suitable for teens and adults.

Schedule:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – Feb. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
• 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 15, 22
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15

Becky Foster doesn’t have a half-bad life; it’s just stuck in neutral. She has a decent job at a car dealership, a solid husband and a freeloading psych-major son living in her basement.

“Becky is a good wife, mother, and co-worker, but caught in a life with no prospects of ever changing,” Director Greg Kolack said. “She suddenly finds herself thrust into her own mid life crisis and the chance of a brand new life through a series of misunderstandings which get her deeper and deeper into a situation she can’t get herself out of, or possibly she doesn’t want to get herself out of it.”

Mishaps turn to mischief and Becky finds herself asking the audience for advice. “It’s a very unique way of telling the story, as Becky constantly talks directly to the audience, asks their advice, and literally gets them involved in the play,” Kolack said. “It is very funny, touching and serious at the same time, with wonderfully odd, lovable characters, and a theme to which many people will be able to relate.”

“Consistently funny—right up to the point that it’s touching, and then even a little bit after that. ‘Becky’s New Car’ takes the audience on a smart, comic cruise through the perils of middle-aged longing and regret.” – Variety

“Dietz has created a comedy of modern manners . . . one that derives as much power from its humanity as its fine-tuned craftsmanship.” – Seattle Times

The cast includes Tom Gess of Indian Head Park, Karen Holbert of Western Springs, Mike Janke of Downers Grove, Cheryl McKay of Clarendon Hills, Jon Mills of Elk Grove Village, Jaime Sandoval of Oak Park Arms Park, and Amy Turner of Naperville.

Tickets are $18 and $20. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or visit the website.

Director Greg Kolack

Elmhurst resident Greg Kolack is the Artist-in-Residence for the 86th Theater of Western Springs. Kolack came to TWS with 38 years of professional experience in Chicago theatre and, to date, has directed four plays at TWS. The recipient of three Joseph Jefferson Citations and three After Dark Awards, he brings his wealth of knowledge and understanding to TWS. Kolack has received numerous other awards and has extensive experience in many different theaters in Chicagoland. Kolack was the co-artistic director of Circle Theatre in Forest Park for seven years, during which Circle received 20 Jeff Citations and 60 Jeff nominations.

His most notable Circle directing credits include the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman’s, “The Crime of the Century,” which he also conceived, and “A Piece of my Heart.” Both received Jeff Citations for direction and outstanding production.

Playwright Steven Dietz

Born and raised in Denver, CO, Steven Dietz graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, after which he moved to Minneapolis and began his career as a director of new plays at The Playwrights’ Center.

During these years he also formed a small theatre company and began to write plays of his own. A commission from ACT Theatre to write “God’s Country” brought him to Seattle, WA, where he lived and worked. He now divides his time between Seattle and Austin, TX, where he teaches playwriting and directing at the University of Texas at Austin.

Dietz is the recipient of the PEN U.S.A. Award in Drama (for “Lonely Planet,” perhaps his most widely-performed work); the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award (“Fiction” and “Still Life With Iris”); and the Lila Wallace/Reader’s Digest Award for “The Rememberer.”

Dietz is also a two-time finalist for the prestigious Steinberg New Play Award (for “Last of the Boys” and “Becky’s New Car”), given by the American Theatre Critics Association.

CAST

• Tom Gess of Indian Head Park
• Karen Holbert of Western Springs
• Mike Janke of Downers Grove
• Cheryl McKay of Clarendon Hills
• Jon Mills of Elk Grove Village
• Jaime Sandoval of Oak Park Arms Park
• Amy Turner of Naperville
  
  

CREW

• Director - Greg Kolack
• Stage Manager - Angelee Johns
• Asst Stage Manager - Mary Kuhn
• Production Coordinator - Mary Ellen Schutt
• Box Office - Kelli Kopp
• Costumes - Linda Bremer and Debby Mills
• Dramaturg - Harry Hultgren
• Hospitality - Joe Mills
• House Managers - Mike Janke
• Lights - Mary Ellen Schutt
• Makeup - Laura Leonardo Ownby and Amanda Ragan
• Program Editor - Ed Barrow
• Props - Jason McCargo and Stacey McCargo
• Publicity - Ginny Richardson
• Sandwich Sunday - Julie Tomek Campo
• Set Construction TBD
• Set Design - Bob Baker
• Set Dresser - Bob Baker
• Set Painting - Laura Leonardo Ownby and Rob Nardini
• Sound - Stephanie Williams
• Tech Director - Thad Hallstein

Photos by Bill Hammack

Pic 1: Karen Holbert of Western Springs – ‘Becky’

Pic 2: (L-R) Jon Mills of Elk Grove Village – ‘Walter’
Karen Holbert of Western Springs – ‘Becky’
Mike Janke of Downers Grove – ‘Joe’