Becky’s New Car premiers in Sheboygan at UW-S
Show to open November 2

The mid-life crisis. It’s the premise of prime time sitcoms, major Hollywood movies and even Broadway productions. And now it’s the focus of University Theatre’s latest exciting production at the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan.

University Theatre’s fall 2012 production, Becky’s New Car, will take to the stage in early November and offer Sheboygan audiences an intimate peek into the journey of Becky Foster, who embarks on her own mid-life crisis of sorts – and all the unexpected twists and turns that ensue.

A finance manager at a local car dealership, Becky Foster is caught in middle age, middle management and in a middling marriage. Then one night a vulnerable and grief-struck millionaire stumbles into the car dealership where Becky works. Becky is offered nothing short of a new life…and the audience is offered a chance to ride shotgun in a way that most plays wouldn't dare.

Becky’s New Car is a thoroughly original comedy with serious overtones, a devious and delightful romp down the road not taken.

To offer audiences a truly intimate experience with Becky Foster and her sometimes riotous, sometimes heart-breaking mid-life crisis, the UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Theatre will be transformed into a “black box,” or studio theater, for this unique show. Only 50 seats will be sold for each performance, allowing audience members to site on stage and only a few feet from the performers.

According to University Theatre Director Simon Provan, many professional theatre companies across the United States operate in studio theatres, and he hopes to parallel University Theatre with that of a professional company.

“I believe strongly in giving my students as much of a professional theatre experience as possible,” Provan said. “Just as importantly, however, Becky’s New Car is the type of production that begs to be produced in an intimate atmosphere. By creating a black box space, we accomplish the goal of having this show be one that is up front and personal.”

In addition to the unique intimate seating arrangements, this show will also feature audience interaction. The main character, Becky, will regularly interact with the audience, sometimes even giving members a task now and then.

“Granted, it’s up to the audience member to complete the task, but it certainly will make for a fun night of theatre,” Provan said. “Along with the fun, there are some serious overtones to this play, the main one being why one might have an affair and how the one who has been cheated on handles this now broken relationship.”

Becky’s New Car has never been performed in Sheboygan before, and University Theatre is excited to bring it to Sheboygan audiences, Provan said.

“It’s an intriguing comedy that deals with the issues of temptation, forgiveness (or lack thereof) and mid-life boredom,” Provan explained.

Provan previously worked with the playwright, Steven Dietz, when he interned at the Milwaukee Rep and participated in Dietz’s world premiere production of Paragon Springs. He also studied acting at the University of Texas when Dietz was brought on as a playwright faculty member of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

“One of my first professional experiences was working on one of Mr. Dietz' plays. Now, by being able to direct and teach the craft of theatre through one of his newer plays, my career as a theatre educator has come full circle,” Provan added.

The cast of Becky’s New Car includes UW-Sheboygan students, community residents and area high school students.

“This cast has quickly gelled with each other,” Provan said. “They all get the humor in this show, yet they understand the truth in which these characters need to live. In other words, they make up a wonderful group of storytellers.”

With so many comic moments, unique twists and turns, Becky’s New Car will offer patrons an unforgettable theatrical experience.

“I can almost guarantee that just about everyone who sees this show will find it worth their money, if not more. It will truly be a great night of theater!” Provan said.

Performances of Becky’s New Car will be offered at 7 p.m. November 2, 3 and 8, 9 and 10 in the UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets are $12 for the general public, $7 for all students and seniors and FREE to all UW-Sheboygan students with ID. Only 50 tickets will be sold for each performance, so seating is extremely limited. Advance tickets can be purchased in the UW-Sheboygan Business Services Office Monday-Friday. For more information about tickets, call (920) 459-6652.

Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. If tickets remain for each performance, tickets will be sold starting at one hour prior to each show in the University Theatre Box Office, located in the Fine Arts Building Lobby.

For more information about auditions or UW-Sheboygan’s theatre program, contact University Theatre Director Simon Provan at 459-6677 or simon.provan@uwc.edu.

The UW-Sheboygan campus is located at One University Drive, just off Taylor Drive (between Indiana and Union avenues). The Fine Arts Theater is located adjacent to the East Parking Lot. You can learn more about UW-Sheboygan at www.sheboygan.uwc.edu.