The Arts / Reviews

Theater review: Take a trip with Circa's 'Are We There Yet?'

By David Burke | Thursday, August 07, 2008 | () comments

Tom Walljasper, left, and Tristan Layne Tapscott portray prom date and protective dad, respectively, in one sketch from “Are We There Yet?” at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse. (Contributed Photo)

Chalk up Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse’s “Are We There Yet?” as one of the more pleasant surprises of the summer.

Publicity materials, right down to the show’s poster, made me think it was nothing but a musical about a family car trip. Unless you’re Chevy Chase, how can you drag that plot on for two hours?

Fortunately, all the family car-trip cliches are taken care of in the first and last songs, which bookend the musical revue.

In between are 19 songs and sketches that represent a family trip in a more metaphorical sense, from pregnancy and childbirth to retirement and the hereafter.

No characters are repeated through this journey, which leads the talented foursome onstage — Tom Walljasper, Sandra D. Rivera, Tristan Layne Tapscott and Erin Dickerson — to change costumes and personas, sometimes in the blink of an eye.

The comedic sketches are short enough to never outwear their welcome, including a dad (the ubiquitous Tapscott) interrogating his daughter’s prom date (Circa vet Walljasper) via a computer chip inside the boyfriend; Dickerson’s monologue as a grandmother forced to baby-sit for the young-uns at a playground; Rivera with a sexy turn as a do-it-all mom (reminiscent of the ‘70s perfume jingle “Cause I’m a Woman”); and Dickerson and Rivera as contrasting Little League moms.

Although they come late in the production, there also are some poignant moments, including Rivera and Dickerson as a birth mother and adoptive daughter who think they’ve found each other online; Tapscott’s monologue as an aging man whose memory lapses have caught up with him; and a Rivera monologue as a grandmother whose son and his same-sex partner have given her the grandchild she’s wanted.

Combining the humorous and touching is Walljasper as a newfound widower who discovers he’s become a sex magnet for the senior citizen women in the neighborhood.

Rated PG by Circa, “Are We There Yet?” does have some naughty words and suggestions but nothing that will make too many blush.

At the keyboards, music director Ron May is part of a trio that provides the poppy, lively score.

Director Ann Nieman returns to Circa with a light touch on the revue, capitalizing on the talent of the four-person cast. The song “Baby Rap,” advertised as part of the show, was cut, but the one-line blackout bits — a lot of work for a quick joke — probably should have gone with them.

The material, by three different songwriters and an additional writer for the book, is very entertaining, relatable and current. Apparently written only a few years ago, there are no awkward stretches to make references seem up-to-date.

Since $4-plus-per-gallon gas may have stymied many family vacations, take a ride with Circa instead. It’s worth the trip.

IF YOU GO

What: “Are We There Yet?”

When: Through Sept. 13; performances at 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 3:45 p.m. Sundays and 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays

Where: Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island

How much: $44.20 for Fridays-Sundays; $41.60 for Wednesday night; $38.28 for Wednesday matinee; discounts for students and senior citizens

Information: 309) 786-7733, Ext. 2; or Circa21.com on the Web

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this review at qctimes.com.