Arts Club Theatre Company On Tour
Becky’s New Car by Steven Dietz

Dates and Venue 14 January - 7 February 2011 | (18-29 January | Surrey Arts Centre, 31 January Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver, 1-5 February | Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, 7 February | Clarke Theatre, Mission)

Director Rachel Ditor Set and Costume Design Alison Green Tour Lighting Design Darren Hales Original Lighting Design John Webber Sound Design Michael Rinaldi Stage Manager Louis Marie Bournival Assistant Stage Manager April Starr Land

Reviewer Cassie Silva


Becky’s New Car was originally performed last spring on the Granville Island Stage, and due to rave reviews from audience members and media alike, the Arts Club decided to take the show on tour to reach a broader audience outside of Vancouver. As one such audience member, I was glad they did.

The spunky Deborah Williams (Mom’s the Word) offered a hilariously delightful performance as Becky; it comes as no surprise that the talented actress moonlights as a comedian. While Williams alone could have easily carried the show, she was supported by a skilled and entertaining cast including Jackson Davies as Walter, Kevin Stark as Chris, and Lindsey Angell as Kennie. Audience members may also recognize radio and television personalities Pia Shandel (The P!a show) as Ginger, Cavan Cunningham (Corner Gas) as Joe, and Hrothgar Mathews (The David Milgaard Story) as Steven. The cast worked well together under the direction of Rachel Ditor and offered polished and humorous performances. The set originally came across as simple, but managed to impress me after a few clever set changes, and the lighting also added an occasional dash of humour.

Becky is juggling her competing work and family lives when a handsome stranger offers her an opportunity to take a ride down the road less travelled. Due to a series of misunderstandings, little white lies, and unfortunate coincidences, it becomes apparent that the road less travelled isn’t necessarily free from potholes.

Surprisingly, the show featured lots of audience participation, which one might assume would reduce believability, but in fact served to make my fellow audience members and I even more involved in our new friend Becky’s life. This is definitely a must-see production for anyone who has ever wondered if the grass really is greener on the other side.

© 2011 Cassie Silva