Leaving Iowa Hits Home

By James E. Trainor III

If you're a native Iowan, you probably recognize the ubiquitous Midwestern road trip. Endless driving through flat land. Questionable destinations such as Hannibal, Missouri. Fighting with your sister. But if that doesn't sound familiar, never fear; Leaving Iowa also deals with more universal themes, such as family, grief, and learning to forgive. It approaches these topics in a warm, homespun way that weaves plenty of laughter inbetween the thoughtful moments.

Don, who now lives in Boston, is coming home to Winterset for a family gathering, but also to fulfill a simple request: his father wanted his ashes scattered two hours away, in Mt. Union, at the home of Don's grandparents. He's taken time out of his busy life to do this because he has to deal with his father's ghost. Unfortunately, grandma's house is now a grocery store, and what was supposed to be a simple gesture to make peace takes a wrong turn into a zany adventure.

The reasons he's driven so passionately to deal with his father are outlined in a series of flashbacks, interspersed with Don's soul-searching monologues. The flashbacks show us a caring but tightly-wound father determined to give his family a taste of adventure on a limited schedule and a strict budget. But in Iowa, adventures, Don points out, "are like steep hills: hard to come by."

The family vacations were tense, stressful affairs, and Don and his sister never really appreciated the effort. Don's journey, however, is to figure out what his father taught him, and how to do his memory justice. The script, by Tim Clue and Spike Manton, tells this story in all its fullness, becoming raucously humorous at times, quietly insightful at others. The use of language is particularly good; the cadence of most of the characters is easy and subtle, terse with plenty of repetition, and it gives the actors a lot to work with when a simple "that's all right" or "you betcha" can say so much.

Russ Keast, who plays the lead, is a good storyteller, and his simple, honest Don is quite relatable. He has a great physical energy, and is a lot of fun in the comic scenes. When he transitions from a boy to an adult and back, his detailed acting work shows. He wears the same costume, but he somehow gets a little bit bigger, a little more confident, and his scenework gets less broad and carefree. You can see the consistency between the two time periods, but you can also see the change. It's very effective.

Bill Croghan is great as the well-meaning but often infuriating Dad. He runs every scene with restless energy, very rarely backing down from a conflict but speaking volumes about the inner life of this character when he does. The comedy comes from the unstoppable drive of the father, but the meaningful center of the piece comes from the purity of his philosophy: he wants his family to appreciate the wonder of life, the way a simple stretch of road can give us such insight into ourselves and our history.

Croghan deals with the transitions extremely well. The father is in the scenes with the adult Don, listening quietly and waiting to see what he will do. Here his agitated, on-the-go manner is completely lifted and he is a quiet, calm -- but still curious -- ghost. This great acting really sells the piece.

Carole Martin and Mary Jane Myers play the roles of Sister and Mom, respectively, and they work well with Keast and Croghan to create some really fun scenes of chaotic family squabbles. Duane Larson and Sarah Fried play a wide variety of characters that are met on the road, and their versatility, tireless energy, and onstage chemistry is incredible. The sheer amount of character work done here is impressive, but none of it is showboating; it's all done to serve a quirky and engaging story.

Wayne Haug's direction shapes the play quite well. The scenework, for all its variety, is consistently nuanced. The laughs hit home and the deeper scenes tug at the heartstrings. Haug says he saw the show at the Royal George Theatre at Chicago, and just had to bring it home to Gwen's; his passion for the work is evident. Haug also designed the set, a simple and effective arrangement that creates a "car" out of four chairs, a steering wheel, and a backdrop of picturesque rural Iowa, leaving plenty of playing space.

Barb Shepley's costume design deserves special mention here. There are a lot of costume changes in this show, but they all go smoothly, and everyone, from the part-Cherokee farmer to the diehard Hawkeyes fan, looks the part.

Leaving Iowa is a very fun show that is sure to make you appreciate the things you miss on the side of the road. So hop in the car and head on down to Gwen's. Who knows? You just might find an adventure.

Leaving Iowa is presented as a dinner theatre at Gwen's Restaurant in Lisbon, on March 8th, 9th and 10th. Dinner is served at 6:30; the show begins at 7:30. Tickets are $25.

Leaving Iowa Opens March 8

MVLCT - This weekend, the Mt. Vernon Lisbon Community Theatre will be at Gwen's presenting Leaving Iowa, a comedy by Tim Clue and Spike Manton.

The play concerns Don, who has come back to Iowa to collect his father's ashes. Over the course of the play, he recalls old family road trips, including many funny encounters. Russ Keast plays the role of Don. Also featured are Bill Croghan, Mary Jane Myers, Carole Martin, Duane Larson and Sarah Fried. Wayne Haug directs.

The play is presented as a dinner theatre; Gwen's Restaurant (119 W Main St. in Lisbon) will be serving dinner. Dinner starts at 6:30 and the show begins at 7:30. Tickets are $25 and are available at Shepley Pharmacy and Lisbon Public Library. The show runs March 8th through March 10th.

Leaving Iowa filled with humor and heart

by Sharon Falduto

Washington - The family road trip is a situation easily mined for a story, for nostalgia, and for humor. Even in the modern era, families still pack the car for trips around the country and forced family bonding.

Leaving Iowa, presented by the Washington Community Theater, is a nice play. Gentle humor, gentle people, and slight self deprecating jabs at Iowa that should make every Iowan smile. We are warned before the play begins that we are not allowed to video tape, take photos, or detassel during the performance.

Don is the main character of the show, the prodigal son who returns home to visit family, and to fulfill a promise to his father. The play is told in a series of flashbacks to the family vacations of their youth; interminable car rides with the sibling squabbles and wrong turns that anyone who has ever taken a road trip will recognize. He is played by affable Steven Lockard, who transitions seamlessly from annoyed older brother to a grown man on an “adventure” and back again. His reactions to his annoying little sister feel true, and his weariness as he completes the task set before him as an older man shows in the slump of his shoulders.

Dad, played in the flashbacks by Brett Pierson, is the center of the story and carries himself energetically and with enthusiasm as he treats his family to Civil War reenactments, historical markers, and other Fascinating Road Trip Wonders. He is a quiet presence on stage when his character is no longer with us, and a bubbly center when he is.

Melody Lockard's Mom character is alternately annoyed, patient, and balancing precariously in between—a mom we can all relate to. Melanie Jeter-Hawkins retains a nice sense of character as she shifts from the role of pesty younger sister to the adult role of irritating younger sister. I didn't quite feel the chemistry I wanted, however, between her and her brother.

The show suffered from some pacing problems and dragged occasionally, forcing the audience to wait too long for the punch line of a long tale.

The incidental characters that drifted through the play were used to nice effect; their sight gags and characters were sometimes unexpected and sometimes familiar. After all, a play called Leaving Iowa is almost required to have at least one farmer in Osh Kosh B'Goshs and one homage to “American Gothic,” isn't it? My particular favorite character was Sue Spencer's Museum Assistant, the sort of stern usherette type every theatergoer has encountered at least once.

Leaving Iowa is an Iowan kind of show; not flashy, but droll, and with a good heart. Before the show begins we are treated to a slide show of some wonderful Iowa scenery, which is a nice introduction to the state and to the show. The message of the play, which will resonate with many Iowa Theatre Blog readers, is that you can leave Iowa, but it will still be your home.

Leaving Iowa plays one weekend only

Washington - Washington Community Theater will present Leaving Iowa By Tim Clue and Spike Manton this weekend. Leaving Iowa is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place. This road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don’s memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of youth.

The show is directed by Doug and Beth McBride. Co-playwright Tim Clue described the show as “...a toast to children of parents from the now dubbed ‘greatest generation’. The story is a tribute to that idealism and character and a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family roadtrip. It is a postcard to anyone who has ever found themselves driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of their youth.”

Performances are October 14 and 15 at 7:30 PM and October 16 at 2:30 PM. Call 319-653-5175 or email leavingiowatickets@gmail.com for information and tickets.

Cast:

Don Browning – Steven Lockard
Dad – Brett Pierson
Mom – Melody Lockard
Sis – Melanie Jeter-Hawkins
Farmer Johnson, Mechanic, Bob – Rick Bonar
Mrs. Johnson, Judy – Mary Maxted
Grandpa, Uncle Phil, Civil War Guy – Terry Shaw
Grandma, Aunt Phyllis, Jessie – Nancy Salemink
Cart Guy, Jack Singer, Wayne – Brent Pfeiffer
Joe Hofingers, Amish Guy – Bill Gatchel
Amish Gal, Clerk – Regina Schantz
Museum Assistant, Jamie – Sue Spencer
Drunk Lady, Park Ranger – Amy Langr

Auditions for Leaving Iowa Aug 7, 9 and 10

Washington - Auditions for the Washington Community Theater Production of Leaving Iowa will take place on August 7, 9, and 10, starting at 7:00 PM at the Washington Community Theatre. Performances are scheduled for October 14, 15 and 16.

Leaving Iowa is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place. This road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don’s memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of youth.

The cast consists of four main characters; Don, Sis, Mom and Dad in both the past and present day portrayed by the same actors. Additional cast members can number as few as 2 and as many as 22. Aspiring as well as experienced actors are encouraged and welcome to attend auditions. Scripts are available for check out at the Washington Library. Please contact directors, Doug and Beth McBride at 653-2433 with any questions.