The Best We Could (a family tragedy) - review

[Jane Zussman]

Peppermint Creek’s The Best We Could is phenomenal — simultaneously funny and devastating  — hard to describe… you had to BE there. 

Emily Clark directs a stellar cast of five on and around a father-daughter road trip.There are multiple side trips into memory where we collect the building blocks of expectations and search for validation that drives this family. 

Shannon Bowen (Maps) makes the most of her kaleidoscopic talents as narrator and “director” of the actors — as well as effectively embodying a diverse set of side characters. I think we all can identify with Sarah Hayner (Ella) and her authentic exasperation/devotion with her parents. It’s great to see David Dunckel back onstage as the collegial friend who would/could/should have made a difference in Dad’s career. Amy Rickett’s Peg/Mom is a funny/sad encouraging/emasculating force. Jeff Magnuson (Lou/Dad) is adorable and annoying as the jovial, embarrassing dad always on the verge of getting ahead, giggling, babbling and bubbling — until he bubbles over. 

The multi-location “set” is built in our imaginations with only lights and sound and folding chairs — plus a small table upstage. Geoff Stauffer’s “set design” may have included the intricate, efficient choreography of chair placement. Heath Sartorius’s lighting design directed us to different areas as his tunes ushered us into different eras. Kudos to Bob Gehrls “special effect.” 

The pace and momentum of this 90-minute no-intermission show sweep us along. The authenticity of the characters is remarkably realistic against this SURrealistic setting created by Emily Feldman’s remarkable script. Director Emily Clark notes: “I hope people walk away from this talking to each other a little more, checking in on each other a little more, and loving each other a little more.”

The Best We Could continues through November 16. Note that Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood (on Lake Lansing, across from McAllister’s Deli) is relatively small (100-ish) with general seating, so arrive early for best seats and note that it could/should sell out so best to get tickets ahead of time at: https://peppermintcreek.org Parking/entry in the back; driveway on the east side of the building.

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

To review past emails as they were sent, click “About the G.L.U.T.” and choose “email list” from the drop-down menu — also check out the all-theatres calendar.

“Like” us on Facebook!