Hampton Theatre Company Presents BECKY'S NEW CAR, 3/15-4/1

Steven Dietz's comedy, "Becky's New Car," will be the next offering of the Hampton Theatre Company, opening March 15 at the Quogue Community Hall and running Thursday through Sunday for three weeks, through April 1.

“Becky’s New Car” came into the world as a 60th birthday present for the wife of Seattle businessman and arts patron, Charles Staadecker, who commissioned Dietz to write the play for Seattle’s ACT Theater where it debuted in 2008. More than 20 major productions later, the Hampton Theatre Company is proud to present the New York area premiere of the play that audiences and critics have hailed for its delicious deadpan humor along with warmth and humanity.

As Becky addresses the audience at the opening of "Becky's New Car," she quotes her friend Rita: "When a woman says she needs new shoes, what she really wants is a new job. When she says she needs a new house, she wants a new husband. And when she says she wants a new car, she wants a new life." Becky seems the picture of an ordinary, happily married, middle-aged housewife, until an unexpected encounter presents an opportunity to turn her world upside down, and a bumper car ride of unexpected consequences begins.

Becky Foster, the bright, perky and confused housewife at the center of the dilemma is played by New York professional and newcomer to the HTC, Camille Mazurek. Her big-hearted roofer husband, Joe, is HTC Veteran Edward A. Brennan. Becky's son Chris is played by Ben Schnickel, returning to the HTC after his critically-acclaimed performance in "Rabbit Hole." Another newcomer to the HTC, Robert M. Hefley, plays the wealthy businessman, Walter Flood, who chances into Becky's path.

Edward Kassar, seen most recently with the HTC as the compassionate criminal Joseph in "My Three Angels," plays Becky's office mate Steve.

Sydney Schwindt plays Chris's girlfriend Kenni, and Pamela Kern returns to the HTC stage as Walter's friend Ginger.

"Becky's New Car" will be presented on Thursdays at 7, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2:30. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (except Saturdays) and $10 for students under 21. For further information or to make reservations, visit the Hampton Theatre Company web site, www.hamptontheatre.org, call OvationTix at 1-866-811-4111, or call the Hampton Theatre Company at 631-653-8955.

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