Francis Guinan (True West, Downstate) is excellent as Pete, the owner of an old TV store on Ashland in Chicago. He really wants to pass along his business to his daughter, Sam, played by Jenna Fischer (The Office). She and her husband, played by Chike Johnson (Hymn), are considering moving to LA to escape the winters and find new business opportunities. Sam is quite similar to The Office’s Pam Beesly in that she is very nice and loving and doesn’t want to disappoint anymore.  

Jess, played by Cordelia Dewdney, a former employee and mother of two, is living with Pete. The father of her children, a drug addict played by Will Allan (Campaigns, Inc.), has just come back into town. 

This play is very funny and heartfelt. It’s a love letter to Chicago. Everyone really cares for each other and struggles between doing what is best for others or what is best for themselves. Also, they all keep secrets from each other that are gradually revealed, too slowly. Perhaps some of these secrets should be revealed earlier to the audience, if not to the characters, to make the play more exciting early on.  

Cost of a ticket: $69 (Mezzanine)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Ashland Avenue through October 12th! 

Quinn Delaney