Remember when gas was affordable and the family hopped in the car (or station wagon) and headed off on a vacation? I recall those days vividly and watching the very funny (and very touching) Leaving Iowa, by local writers Tim Clue and Spike Manton helps to bring back those very memories. It is now playing at The Royal George Cabaret, a nice intimate venue that allows the audience to feel as if they are really there.
Don (the very boyish Kelly Cooper) comes back to Iowa for a family visit and finds that his father's ashes (he died three years prior) were left in the basement. Don now journeys off to find the perfect spot to spread the ashes and as he does, he recalls some family vacations and, of course, family members. Dad, (Bradley Armacost is terrific) map in hand, loves his week's vacation to be an adventure. He avoids touristy, rip-off spots, so the trips are on the cheap side, yet he sincerely cares a great deal about being with his family and enjoying the adventure.
Mom is handled by Angela Bullard (a master at work) who also takes on two other roles, and Barb Wengard (a great comic talent) plays the final family member and does a stint in one scene as a waitress. The other actor in this production is the scene stealing Brian McCartney who plays a multitude of characters and manages to pull it off with ease with just a change here and there—he walks out one door as one character and comes right back on as another and we are never confused.
Because a show like this helps evoke our own memories, it's a production that everyone should see. For you younger readers who have never experienced a road trip, you won't have the memories, but I can guarantee a lot of laughter. "Leaving Iowa" will be a good time for all!
Leaving Iowa
Royal George Theater
Through July 2nd
Tickets: $37-$42
Reservations: 312-988-9000
Alan Bresloff writes theater reviews for the Chicago area.
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