It’s hard to imagine that the Oklahoma Dust Bowl of the 1930s would hold much interest for British playwright Lans Traverse, but that’s the case with Driftwood, currently making its world premiere at Main Street Theater. Spanning 20 years and moving back and forth across time, the story centers around a family losing their farm. “It’s been in the family for generations,” says Cheryl L. Kap-lan, the show’s director. “They’re losing their farm because of a betrayal between the son and the father. The son has a problem with the family, and it blows up and destroys the entire family just like the dust bowl…That’s the beautiful poetry of the show.” Traverse is primarily an actor. According to Kaplan, “that’s why she’s written such great characters. She thinks from an actor’s point of view.” After today’s 7:30 preview, regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. (No performance Friday, April 2 or Sunday, April 4). Through April 25. Main Street Theater, 2540 Times. For information, call 713-524-6706 or visit www.mainstreettheater.com. $10 to $36.
Fridays-Sundays; Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Starts: March 27. Continues through April 25, 2010
This article appears in Mar 25-31, 2010.