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The world premiere of a gentle, funny examination of family and mortality — a Jewish, Midwestern Chekhov for the 21st century. Leaving her husband Cal behind in New York City to watch her son, Annie returns to her childhood home in the Midwest to escape marital discord and visit her father, who is dying of cancer. As dramatic changes outside of her control take place around her, she reconnects with her mother, grandmother and brother, and childhood friends. Secrets are revealed, wine is drunk, songs are sung and relationships rekindled.
According to playwright Jessica Goldberg, Better is about entering Act ...Read More
The world premiere of a gentle, funny examination of family and mortality — a Jewish, Midwestern Chekhov for the 21st century. Leaving her husband Cal behind in New York City to watch her son, Annie returns to her childhood home in the Midwest to escape marital discord and visit her father, who is dying of cancer. As dramatic changes outside of her control take place around her, she reconnects with her mother, grandmother and brother, and childhood friends. Secrets are revealed, wine is drunk, songs are sung and relationships rekindled.
According to playwright Jessica Goldberg, Better is about entering Act Two of life. “Suddenly parents are dying, marriages are dying, and you realize your youthful dreams have been replaced by practical realities,” she explains. “It's about raging against all that. And, I suppose, finally accepting, holding both realities at the same time: the gain with the loss. And I hope that it’s a little silly and funny, too.”
“This play really captures how ridiculous and sad life is in the face of inevitable loss,” says Echo artistic director Chris Fields. “It’s the kind of script that makes you laugh, then cry — all within the space of three minutes.”
Director Jennifer Chambers and the Echo have spent the past year-and-half working with the playwright to develop Better. “It contains a true Chekhovian dynamic,” Chambers says. “The idea of going home as a grown up, how you become a kid again. In some ways we can never go back.”
Better runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., Oct. 4 through Nov. 6. There will be one preview performance on Friday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. All tickets are $25. Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039. On-site parking is free. For reservations and information, call (310) 307-3753 or go to www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.
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