It was well worth the trip!
Director Susan Derosa brought Tim Clue & Spike Manton’s heartwarming script to life, taking us on THAT Family Road Trip of nostalgia, joy, fights and love, in the pre-cell-phone era of paper maps and guidebooks. M.D. Nelson was the heart of the show as son Don taking his father’s ashes back to what he thought would be the site of his grandparents’ house… but no…
His quest flips us back and forth in time, recalling family road trips and recreating the conflicted love for family, especially that beloved but embarrassing father (Darryl Schmitz). Often exasperated but loving Mom (Marci Balogh) and charmingly bratty Sis (Debbie Lundeen) also flip back and forth in time with a quick change of hair or glasses. The family actors were all excellent, creating a lively pace not always equalled by the accessory players who portrayed the myriad of folks they met along the way.
This varied and entertaining crowd included Chris Bouck, Lee Ettinger, Beverly Gross, Christopher Hibbs, Bob Pung, Ralph Sims, Tom Webb, and even director Susan in one role. My favorites were Beverly Gross as “Drunk Lady” and the humorous deadpan Christopher Hibbs as “Cart Chaser” and “Wayne.”
The abstract backdrop set designed by Susan Derosa, featured a double screen above, with an assortment of realistic projections that set scenes and, with sound, created some special effects. Bob Gehrls created custom set pieces. St. Johns crooner Bill Brown recorded 10 songs as a special pre-show, intermission and curtain call music.
The 400 seat theatre had general, open seating, with about 50 audience members able to space themselves relatively easily. Most came in with masks, but not all kept them on throughout the 2-hour plus 15 minute intermission show. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, call 517-930-1421, or email mailto:susanderosa@msn.com.