By Emily Dodi |Feb 13, 2023 |VC Reporter
Take a trip on the wilder side with Becky’s New Car at the Ojai Art Center through Feb. 19. Cynthia Killion stars as Becky Foster in Steven Dietz’s wonderful comedy about a woman who stumbles into a double life. The marvelous Killion leads a great cast that makes this laugh-out-loud production a must see.
The play opens with Becky tidying the house she shares with her husband Joe (Stan McConnell) and adult son Chris (Max Budroe). As she dances around, picking up other people’s laundry, she breaks the fourth wall and invites us into her world, which is soon to become two.
As a wife and mother with a job at a car dealership, Becky has a nice enough life, but something about Becky suggests that perhaps she wouldn’t mind a little less “nice” and a lot more fun.
In walks Walter Flood, played with adorable befuddlement by the top-notch Taylor Kasch. Walter is a millionaire widower looking to spend a lot of money. Before you can say, “ring me up,” Walter gets the impression that Becky is a widow. She doesn’t disavow him of the idea and suddenly she’s embarking on an exciting new half-life. But just how long can Becky keep it going? Dietz keeps things light and funny while weaving in some profound questions about life and love.
Stan McConnell gives Joe unexpected substance; he’s nice but maybe not that nice. Max Budroe makes Chris, Becky’s somewhat clueless and self-centered son, surprisingly endearing. Amber Shea Hodge plays Walter’s daughter Kenni with the right twinge of entitlement mixed with a daughter’s protectiveness. Denise Heller’s training as a dancer gives a beautiful musicality to her pantomime as a mystery woman, while she imbues her other role as Ginger, a friend of Walter, with a lovely mix of vulnerability and moxie. Bill Walthall is a hoot as Steve, Becky’s co-worker. Walthall, who also serves as sound designer, deserves a shout out for the fun and funky soundtrack.
Rosie Gordon makes an auspicious directorial debut, helming a production that is quickly paced, cleverly staged and very entertaining. The ingenious multi-level set, designed by Kasch and Gordon, as well as the lighting, designed and operated by Beltane Howden, transport us from Becky’s home to her office and out to a lake house; you can almost feel the breeze coming off the water. Howden, who also serves as stage manager, provides the props that help speed the play along and serve to draw the audience into the action.
Costumes by Paula Maxwell succeed in showing the different sides of each character. The large picture postcard artwork by scenic artist Rick Sharp provides a gorgeous backdrop. Rounding out the crew are the gifted set builders Mark Lusson, Nick Egan and, once again, the multitalented (and multi-credited) Kasch, who also produced the show.
Becky’s New Car is a delight. It is a joyous romp that manages to pose serious questions. Without giving too much away, the play shows that freedom isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Ojai ACT’s latest production will leave you smiling, and you might find yourself taking the long way home.
Becky’s New Car through Feb. 19 at the Ojai Art Center Theater, 113 S. Montgomery Street, Ojai. For tickets and more information, call 805- 640-8797.