Petaluma director Jordan’s ‘Becky’s New Car’ honored by SF Critic’s Circle

Four more performances in Sonoma for critically-acclaimed comedy-drama|

With just four more days in its three-week run, the outrageous comedy-drama ‘Becky’s New Car’ – directed for Sonoma Arts Live by Petaluma stage director Carl Jordan – has been designated a “Go See!” production by the San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle.

The play follows Becky (Melissa Claire), a restless, married office-manager at a small car dealership, who experiences a complicated mid-life crisis when a handsome millionaire arrives to buy a large number of cars as gifts for his employees.

Believing her to be a widow, he takes a liking to her.

The play, written by Seattle playwright Steven Dietz – and coincidentally featuring a performance by Petaluma’s own Steven Dietz (no relation) - has earned strong, critical raves, and has been building word-of-mouth.

To receive a “Go See!” designation from the Critics Circle, a minimum of three Circle members must nominate a show.

Circle President Barry Willis, who saw the show in its first weekend, on recommendation of other members, said of the show, “It’s one of the freshest and funniest comedies to come along in years. The cast is consistently excellent, each character has a clear, satisfying dramatic arc, and the quick-moving story is hilarious and poignant. Plus the set design is brilliant. I would eagerly see it again.”

In a June 8 interview with the Argus-Courier, director Jordan described the appeal of the show.

“The comedy that arises from Becky’s predicament is one that everyone will identify with,” he said.

Sonoma Arts Live stages its shows on the Rotary Stage at Andrews Hall, inside the 100-year-old Sonoma Community Center. www.sonomaartslive.org

(Contact David at david.templeton@argus-courier.com)

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