Steven Dietz, award-winning author of last season’s hit thriller YANKEE TAVERN, delivers a witty and fresh new comedy in BECKY’S NEW CAR, a story about life, love, marriage and the detours we take on road to happiness. Becky’s life isn’t exactly terrible – she’s married, forty-something, has a decent job at an auto dealership, a solid husband, and a freeloading, psych-major son living in her basement. But, she finds herself leading a double life when a wealthy suitor presumes she’s a widow – and she doesn’t correct him. Becky’s life quickly accelerates out of control as she gets the chance to test drive another chance at life. BECKY’S NEW CAR is full of HUGE laughs, hairpin plot turns and a story set firmly in overdrive…buckle up! Run Time: approximately 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission Recommended for ages 13 and older. “…takes the audience on a smart, comic cruise through the perils of middle-aged longing and regret.” – Variety “…a warmly humorous and nimble romantic farce that doesn’t oversell itself…” – Seattle Times

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM

Steven Dietz’s (Playwright) plays and adaptations—which include LONELY PLANET, PRIVATE EYES, INVENTING VAN GOGH, DRACULA, FORCE OF NATURE, HALCYON DAYS, and THE NINA VARIATIONS (all published by DPS)—have been seen at over one hundred regional theatres in the United States, as well as Off-Broadway. International productions of his work have been seen in England, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, Sweden, Russia, Slovenia, Argentina, Peru, Singapore and South Africa. Recent work includes FICTION (produced Off-Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company); LAST OF THE BOYS (produced by Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago); and several widely-produced adaptations: HONUS AND ME (from Dan Gutman), and SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE (from William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle).

Sheila Snow Proctor (Director) is excited to be making her directorial debut at Actor’s Theatre with such a fun show and fabulous cast! She has been in the Charlotte theatre scene for 15 years as an Actor/Director for many Charlotte theatre companies. She has received director nominations and awards from the Metrolina Theatre Association including Best Director for Donna Scott Production’s “The Body Chronicles” and Best Director nominations for The Edge Theatre Co’s “Tick, Tick, Boom!” and Donna Scott Production’s “The Fairytale Chronicles.” Last seen at Actor’s Theatre in “Southern Rapture”, she is no stranger to comedy. Sheila is a five-time winner MTA Award winner, including Best Actress in a Comedy and a Creative Loafing Actress of Year. Her greatest role though is that of wife to sound designer Anthony Proctor and mother to 17-year-old daughter Briannan Snow.

MEET THE CAST

Jerry Colbert (Walter Flood) is pleased to be back at ATC after appearing in last season’s BIG BOYS and THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA?, for which he won a Metrolina Theatre Association Award. Previous credits include King Arthur in CAMELOT at CPCC Summer Repertory, as well as appearances in THE GUYS, THE SECRET GARDEN, FUNNY GIRL, CAROUSEL, I HATE HAMLET, and AFTER THE FALL. He was see at Charlotte Rep in THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LENAN, DROP DEAD, 1940s RADIO HOUR and at the CPCC Theatre in CHILDREN OF EDEN, GYPSY, CATS, BLOOD BROTHERS, GRAND HOTEL, and the revues: A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING and SING FOR YOUR SUPPER, A ROGERS AND HART REVUE. A native of Alabama, Jerry attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on an acting scholarship, and after traveling about a bit, makes his home in Matthews with his wife, Tobi, his son, Ian, and his daughter, Melissa.

Mike Corrigan (Steve) is so excited to be working with Actor’s Theatre. You may have seen Mike’s work in commercials, industrials and some independent film—he will appear in REDNECK ROOTS shot here in Charlotte. He has worked in the past with Charlotte Rep, Children’s Theatre, Innovative Theatre, Charlotte Shakespeare and Theatre Charlotte. He has previously appeared in A FEW GOOD MEN, MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE ILLUMINATI, TRACERS, AS YOU LIKE IT, and PSYCHO BEACH PARTY among others. Thanks so much for supporting theater in Charlotte.

Billy Ensley (Joe Foster) happily returns to ATC where he recently directed EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (Metrolina Theatre Association Best Director Nomination) and BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL (MTA Best Director Award). Other ATC credits include Katurian in THE PILLOWMAN (MTA Best Actor Drama) & Hedwig in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (Creative Loafing’s ‘Entertainer of the Year’ and Charlotte Magazine’s ‘Best of the Best’), which he also directed. Recently, Billy has played the role of Gould in GREY GARDENS for Queen City Theatre Company, The Man in The Chair in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE for CPCC Summer Theatre, where he then directed I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Billy will play Frankie Cavalier in PAGAENT here at ATC for Theatre 650 & Stuart Williams Productions in January, and then will direct the Charlotte premier of RENT for Theatre Charlotte this Spring. Billy is thrilled to be working with the talented cast of BECKY’S NEW CAR and gives special thanks to our director Sheila Snow Proctor.

Patrick Hogan (Chris Foster) is extremely excited to be making his Actor’s Theatre debut in BECKY’S NEW CAR. He recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he appeared in many shows, among them MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THIS IS OUR YOUTH, and WAIT UNTIL DARK. Last year he was very fortunate to play The Actor in Theatre Charlotte’s production of THE WOMAN IN BLACK, and he spent this past summer in Manteo, NC performing in THE LOST COLONY. He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for all of their hard work, and his friends and family for all of their constant support, especially his parents, brothers and sisters.

Katherine Harrison (Ginger) was an original member of ACE, Actors Contemporary Ensemble, which later became (the late) Charlotte Repertory Theatre. She performed in several shows for the Rep and has done numerous shows throughout Charlotte and the region. Her last stage performance was as Sister Aloysius in DOUBT, for the Haid Theatre at Belmont Abbey College. Katherine is a voice over artist and can be heard voicing local and national radio and TV ads. She would like to thank her colleagues at Groundcrew Recording Studio for giving her leeway to do BECKY’S NEW CAR. Thanks also to her husband Van and her good friend “Becky” (aka Catherine Smith), for the heads up about this exciting play. “What a treat to be able to work with this cast and the crew here at Actor’s Theatre. Thanks for coming ya’ll, and enjoy the show!”

Abigail Pagán (Kenni Flood) is thrilled to be making her debut with Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte in BECKY’S NEW CAR. She hails from all over but currently calls Statesville her home. She attended Western Carolina University’s Fine Arts program with a concentration in acting. Abigail was last seen running about as Poppy in Davidson Community Players production of NOISES OFF. Her other favorite productions include: WEST SIDE STORY (Anita – nominated for an MTA “Outstanding Lead Actress” Award), EPIC SKETCH, WORKING, HELLO DOLLY, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and PLAY ON. Thank you to Sheila, Chip and all of the wonderful cast and crew. Last, but certainly not least, Abigail would like to thank her amazing, supportive and loving husband Randy for always believing in her!

Catherine Smith (Becky Foster) is thrilled to be back at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, where she has not appeared since FUDDY MEARS… which was far too many years ago to name. She’s appeared onstage with almost every Theatre that has every existed in Charlotte, which bears witness to either her age or her persistence. When not acting, Catherine lives in wonderful Waxhaw, NC, with her three dogs and two cats. A voiceover artist by day, she frequently gets to work in her pajamas and knows just how blessed she is. You can find out more about her at www.catherinesmith.com. Catherine thanks Sheila, Dan, Chip, Carrie, Maile, her arch nemesis Katherine, and the rest of this fabulous cast for a richly rewarding and challenging experience. She also thanks her family for encouraging her to embrace this crazy career path without a back-up plan. And she thanks YOU for being here to share the ride.

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OPENING NIGHT: Wednesday, October 27th at 7:30pm reception immediately following the performance Join us for the Opening Night of Becky’s New Car and enjoy an evening of fabulous theatre and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. Catering provided by Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, wine provided compliments of Today’s Charlotte Woman, and a beer tasting provided by Carolina Beer. Cost: FREE, with purchase of ticket TALKBACK THURSDAYS: Thursdays during the run of the show immediately following the performance Have a burning question after seeing the show and want an answer from the creative team? Then stick around after the show on Thursdays for a facilitated talkback with the cast and director of Becky’s New Car. Cost: FREE, with purchase of ticket SINGLE LADIES NIGHT: Friday, October 29th at 8:00pm Interested in seeing the show ? Want to come alone or with friends that are paying individually? Then join us on Singles Night, where you get a $5 discount when you by an individual ticket for yourself. Offer valid for online orders only. Use Discount Code: single PAY WHAT YOU CAN NIGHT: Wednesday, November 3rd at 7:30pm Looking for a jolly good time but don’t have a wad of cash lying around? ‘Pay What You Can’ is the ticket for you because we will accept any amount you give us for a ticket, whether it’s $1 or $20 (a $10 donation is recommended per ticket). No advanced reservations accepted. Tickets sold beginning at 6:30p the date of performance and are sold until we sell out. Cash, check and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) accepted. Maximum of four tickets per person. Line begins forming between 5:30 – 6:00p. Performances typically sell out.