***** I always like a play about Chicago. While they are not all perfect, and in many cases use other than real names to identify items or places, it still feels good to see a story involve other than New York or los Angeles ( although this one touches that L.A. part). “Ashland Avenue” in its World Premiere at the Goodman Theatre touches our city. During this two act play ( roughly 2 hours and 25 minutes with one intermission) we see and hear about the Bears, the Cubs, The Sox and even the Blackhawks. Of course, Ashland is a street name in town, roughly 1600 West and it runs from Howard Street, very far into the south side.
The story is about Pete ( an amazing character study by Chicago favorite Francis Guinan) and his TV store. It is the last of a string of shops that once dominated the market in Chicago. Pete was a legend and at the very start of the play, he is standing in front of us, as if looking into a mirror, and practicing his acceptance speech. The mayor is about to pay homage to his good citizenship in this fair city. From that point on the story of this man and his family, as well as his almost family begins.
For over 40 years, Pete and his business as well as his crazy ads and his customer care, made him legendary. As I watched the story unfold, I thought of people in my time, Jim Moran, The Courtesy Man ( car sales)- Morrie Mages ( sporting goods), Win Strake ( Maurice Lenell cookies) and some of what we see on tv today ( the Smith Family , The Malman Law offices etc). The times have changed, but Pete has not grown with them. He has one remaining store ( the original on Ashland Avenue- could be north or south, we never learn) and business is very slow.
His daughter Sam ( deftly handled by Jenna Fischer) has been with him over the years. As a little girl, she spent all of her not school hours in the shop, helping, watching TV, and just being his daughter. Her dream ( and let’s face it, we all have a dream) was to be an author and write a book. Her husband , Mike ( played to perfection by Chike Johnson) is a graphic illustrator, who due to lack of work in town has been helping out at the shop.
It turns out that Sam and Mike have their own plan and they know that what they are planning will hurt Pete beyond belief. I will not give away this part of the story, but will tell you that their dreams and plans are not cohesive to what Pete has planned. Back in my day, families that started businesses, no matter the type, planned on their family taking over and keeping the tradition alive, for generations. Back in my yellow pages days, I called on several businesses where I dealt with the parent, then later the son and one more generation, the grandchild. But I do not believe that takes place as much as in the old days.
In the final scenes, Pete has a confrontation with this young man ( played by Will Allan) and after all that has taken place with Jess, his daughter and son-in-law, we get to see the side of this man that earned him the good samaritan award from the mayor and it appears that Pete will in fact keep his shop open and perhaps live out his final days being the humanitarian he always was. This is an award-worthy show and I suggest that you place it on your “to do” list!
On the technical side,, the fight co-ordination (Chuck Coyl) did a splendid job. We were in the 5th row , and it was amazing. Kevin Depinet’s set is amazing and should be looked at with admiration. The lights (Jason Lynch), the sound (Lindsay Jones, who also composed the music) and the costumes (Jessica Pabst) were all the ingredients of a perfect recipe as prepared by Director Susan V. Booth.
“Ashland Avenue” will continue thru October 12th with performances as follows:
Tuesdays 7:30pm
Wednesdays 7:30pm
Thursdays 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Fridays 7:30pm
Saturdays 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays 2:00pm
ENHANCED and ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES
ASL 9/26 7:30 p.m.
Audio-Described 9/27 2 p.m. 2ith touch tour at 12:30
9/27 Spanish Subtitled 7:30 with LED on sides of stage
Tuesdays 7:30pm
More Stories
“The Drowsy Chaperone”
“White Rooster” Reviews by Al Bresloff and a second by Paul Lisnek Curtain Call Chicago
“Fully Committed” reviewed by Frank Meccia