Category: The Hansberry Project

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Andrew Lee Creech’s Last Drive to Dodge world premire play at Taproot Theatre w/ The Hansberry Project. Well-written dialogue, cute repartee, dimensional characters, and lots of audience reactions. #showsiveseen #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: Prophet and Ro are chasing dreams faintly whispered on the wind that sweeps the dusty Texas plain, where ranching is brutal work and change is on the horizon. Set at the end of the Cowboy Golden Age, Last Drive to Dodge examines race, love, and legacy in a time when everyone is scrambling for their piece of the American Dream.

Attended Performance Date: 9/22/23 (Opening Night) – Preview Posts

Type: Play

World Premiere: Yes, but it was well-developed

Several or Few Scenes: A couple of scenes

Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple of locations on a ranch

Static (Stationary) Set: Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes, but there’s only so much that can occur on a ranch

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.25 hours

Was there an intermission?: Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now?: Probably not, but it was good

Recommendation: See it, especially if you either like 1) plays about race in the USA 2) or plays that are heavier on the dialogue than action

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Audience Reaction: You know it’s a good play when you hear lots of reactions from the audience like laughter, gasps, groans, “humphs,” and “hmmms.” I noticed these audience reactions more in the second act. I won’t spoil anything, but I specifically remember audibly groaning when somebody took off their hat in the second act.
• Dimensional Characters: The characters in this play were not simply good or bad and black or white (no pun intended). The playwright added some depth to their backstory that influenced their motivations. Ironically, I enjoyed the least complex character (Millie played by Jonelle Jordan) the most since she had the funniest lines.
• Dialogue: The dialogue was well-written and there were some sly funny random quips. I loved the way Ro (played by Dedra D Woods) dressed down Millie regarding Millie’s ignorance of her own personal white privilege. The climactic scene towards the end of the play when Ro and Prophet (played by Yusef Seevers) debated the unfairness of black responsibility reminded me of when Michelle Obama said her family faced more scrutiny under the public eye than other presidential families because of race.
• Twist: The reveal at the end of the first act was unexpected.

Rant(s)

• Audience Hazard: One of the actors hammered a fence post on-stage and particulates flew everywhere. This was a potential eye injury hazard especially since the audience was so close to the stage.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Montage (Slight Spoiler): What did the “I am” video montage mean in the second act? And who were the people in it?
• Prophet vs Profit: In the second act, I realized the name “Prophet” also sounds like “profit.” I wonder if the playwright intentionally considered this.
• Hook: They were probably taking advantage of the fact that sex sells during the play’s first act hook with the post-coital scene.

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre and The Hansberry Project

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: Medium

Regular Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/last-drive-to-dodge/

Ticket Affordability Options: Pay what you can days, GoldStar, and TodayTix.

Dates: September 20 to October 21, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.

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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/last-drive-to-dodge/
• Program

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video by Robert Wade Photography

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and/or video below

@showsiveseen @Andrew’s “Last Drive to Dodge” #worldPremire #play at @TaprootTheatre w/ The Hansberry Project directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. Well-written dialogue, cute repartee, dimensional characters, & lots of audience reactions. Photos: Robert Wade. Review: showsiveseen.com/6768 #showsiveseen #theatre #cowboy #ranch #country ♬ It’s You – Tayler Holder

Role	Name
Prophet	Yusef Seevers *
Ro	Dedra D. Woods *
Millie	Jonelle Jordan
Bennett	Tim Gouran
—	—
Prophet (Understudy)	Jarron A Williams
Ro (Understudy)	Esther Okech
Millie (Understudy)	Marianna de Fazio
Bennett (Understudy)	Nik Doner
—	—
Director	Valerie Curtis-Newton**
Assistant Director	Bretteney Beverly
Playwright	Andrew Lee Creech
Scenic Designer	Matthew Smucker^^
Costume Designer	Melanie Burgess ^^
Casting Director	Bretteney Beverly
Lighting Designer	Brian Engel
Sound Designer	Evan Mosher
Projection Designer	Mark Lund
Fight Choreographer	Alyssa Kay
Stage Manager	Kathryn Louise*
Dramaturg	Sonja Lowe
Dialect Coach	Gin Hammond
Props Designer	Bella Rivera
Assistant Stage Manager	Tiana Price
Property Master	Bella Rivera
Casting Consultant	Jessica Spencer
Dresser	Tiana Price
Draper	Martha Mitchell
Draping Mentor	Connie Rinchiuso
Stitchers	Veronica Dimoff, Scian Hayes
Wig Designer	Joyce Degenfelder
Wig Specialist	Kelly Schmidt
Scenic Carpenter	Tim Samland^
Light Board Operator	Clint Bull
Sound Board Operators	Marty Sisk, Andi Villegas
Master Electrician	Aiyana Stephens
Electricians	Clint Bull, Jayde McCarrell, Kody Smith, Anna Van Vleet, Eric Wu
Scenic Strike/Load-In	Michael Adler^, Seth Branum^, Thomas Moore^