Review: Becky's New Car

Veronica Tuttel and Jake Fraing
in Becky's New Car at the Phoenix

BECKY’S NEW CAR

By Steven Dietz

Directed by Ted Jaquith

The Phoenix Theatre

April 8 – May 1, 2016

Purchase tickets online

Review by Doug Gochanour

Christine Mosere exchanges her directorial duties for the lead actress role as Becky Foster. Christine gives a fantastic performance, bringing out Becky’s frustration as a middle age woman in a marriage that seems to be declining, a dull job at a car dealership, and with no prospects for future improvement. Unexpectedly, a charming, wealthy widower appears at the car dealership, and Becky perceives an amazing opportunity with Walter. Will she grasp this chance for new life? Will it grasp her instead?

Choices and their subsequent consequences make for hilarious results. Accidental deceptions become solidified with absolute “covering” lies. Throw in the mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and mist opportunities to rectify errors, and then comedy prevails.

The rest of the cast, Rick Wright, Michael McFadden, Steve Heiret, Jake Fraing, Veronica Tuttel, and Melanie Calderwood are wonderfully believable in their respective roles. They offer their comedic talents with perfect timing and finesse.

The audience is drawn into participation on several occasions of interaction. They even get to choose, by clapping, the direction of a choice that Becky must make. Sure, believe that as reciprocal determinism.

Sometimes people make subconsciously intentional mistakes, leading to their being caught in their web of lies. A misplaced cell phone could do it. It allows the guilt-anguished to finally escape their nexus by having the truth come out. Will this happen to Becky? What will the outcome be?

Will Becky’s husband, Joe, kill her new lover, Walter?  Will her son, Chris, marry Walter’s lovely daughter, Kensington? Will Becky’s co-worker, Steve, find a new romantic spice in Walter’s friend, Ginger?

All of this blends together to bring our community another great evening of joy and laughter. It may seem magical, but that is actually part of the MISSION of Phoenix Theatre. The Phoenix organization has succeeded once again. Be sure to experience this rollicking production!

The Phoenix Theatre is located at 9673 Firdale Avenue, Edmonds 98020 (directions).