She wants a new car. And in getting a new car, she finds a new life.
That’s how director Martha Kallenbach describes Becky’s New Car, the latest production from Muskegon Civic Theatre. The story goes like this: Becky is middle-aged and questioning her happiness. When a series of events leads her to a new car and a chance at a new life, the audience is along for the ride.
“It’s not like anything I’ve ever worked on or seen before,” said Robin Willi, who plays the lead role of Becky. “Everyone thinks about taking a vacation from their life and I think, in this show, Becky really takes the audience on a ride through hers. She kind of allows you to see how she gets to this point in her life and the justifications that she makes in her mind on how she gets there.”
The show addresses young love, marriage, loss, infidelity, different family dynamics, feeling stuck in life and taking chances.
Willi said everyone in the audience will find a way to relate to this show.
“It’s really charming,” Willi said. “It’s something that everyone’s going to have an opinion about, one way or the other. You’re going to find somebody in the show to root for. There are really heartfelt moments and uncomfortable moments. (But) at the end of the day, it’s a comedy.”
All of these qualities made directing this show all the more fun for Kallenbach.
“I love to tell stories,” Kallenbach said. “And this story is so interesting because the characters are so rich and they’re fun to watch unfold on stage … because everyone has some underlying premise, so they each have a different story that you don’t expect.”
Willi said the cast is doing great in rehearsals and all working very well together.
“The cast is super, super supportive,” she said. “I’ve worked with the actor who plays my son before so we have a good relationship to play off of.”
Becky’s New Car
Muskegon Civic Theatre
425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon
Nov. 16-Dec. 2
muskegoncivictheatre.org
