'Becky's New Car' gets bump from local critics'

Sonoma Arts Live production gets 'Go See' nod in final weekend|

The San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle has identified “Becky’s New Car,” a Sonoma Arts Live production in its last weekend, as a winner of its prestigious “Go See!” award.

The award is granted when a quorum of SFBATCC members have seen a production they believe is well worth attending, and want to bring additional attention to the show. “We have worked so hard to up the production values of our shows,” said Jaime Love, artistic director of Sonoma Arts Live. “This is proof that we’re moving in the right direction.” The SFBATCC “Go See!” award is the first for Sonoma Arts Live.

“Becky’s New Car” is about a woman named Becky-natch-who works at a used car dealership. She’s got a son in the basement, a job she can phone in, and a good husband who pulls down very long hours. Smack dab in the purgatory of middle age, Becky finds that she’s neither happy nor miserable. Adrift and disconsolate, she finds herself thinking classically middle-aged thoughts, like “what if…” and “why didn’t I…” and “will I ever feel wide awake again?” When a stranger crosses her path to challenge her routines, she’s faced with a choice between what’s familiar and what’s new. In a clever plot progression that manages to both affirm and deny, Becky somehow finds a way to choose both.

“The play is innovative in its staging, deeply funny, deeply poignant,” Love said.

Director Carl Jordan acknowledged the special qualities of the play, which was written by Steve Dietz and premiered in 2008. “It’s one of those plays,” Jordan said. “Very entertaining, but also the beginning of a conversation about the choices we all make in our lives, and the consequences of those choices.”

Clearly, the SVBACC agreed with Jordan’s assessment. It’s “Go See!” award is meted out sparingly.

With Melissa Claire’s physical comedy anchoring her performance in the lead role, “Becky’s New Car” runs through the weekend, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a final performance Sunday at 2 p.m.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.