In one way, “The Way West” is about the indomitable spirit that drove pioneers ever westward despite near-insurmountable odds.
In another way? Mona Mansour’s play, presented by Marin Theatre Company doesn’t seem sure where it wants to go.
It’s set in Central California, probably in StocktonorModesto during the recent recession. Mom (Anne Darragh) wants to declare bankruptcy after ignoring unpaid bills. The 62-year-old is also ignoring potentially serious health issues.
Her older daughter, Manda (Kathryn Zdan), is visiting from Chicago to try to organize Mom’s finances. She’s more or less assisted by her sister, Meesh (Rosie Hallett), who is living with Mom and whose finances are shaky, too.
Manda seems fairly OK financially, thinking nothing of paying $150 for a haircut, but she’s heavily reliant on credit cards.
One bit of bad news after another leaves the three women destitute, unable to pay even for a pizza delivery. Nevertheless, Mom remains relentlessly upbeat.
Stressing the pioneer theme, many scenes begin with a Mom monologue telling the story of some pioneer adventure that usually ends badly. Sometimes her daughters join her in song (music and musical direction by Sam Misner and Megan Pearl Smith).
What’s confounding is that no one does anything about Mom’s health issues. A possible rekindling of the romance between Manda and former boyfriend Luis (Hugo E. Carbajal) is left hanging. Some situations seem to come from theater of the absurd.
For example, a family friend, Tress (Stacy Ross), has invested thousands of Mom’s and her own money in a get-rich-quick, get-thin-quick scheme that’s nothing short of ludicrous.
Despite holes in the script, the production directed by Hayley Finn keeps moving thanks to outstanding performances, especially by Darragh as Mom and by Ross, who is underused but brilliant as Tress.
The set by Geoffrey M. Curley (lit by Masha Tsimring) captures Mom’s disorganization while evoking the pioneer theme with overhead arches reminiscent of a covered wagon. Costumes are by Christine Crook with sound by Brendan Aanes.
The two-act play runs about two hours with one intermission. Despite its basic premise and a fine cast, it goes too many different ways to be satisfying.
“The Way West” continues through May 10 at Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Ave., MillValley. For tickets and information, call (415) 388-5208 or visit www.marintheaatre.org.
