Goodman Theatre’s new play, Ashland Avenue, is a love letter to 1980s Chicago. The character who epitomizes that era is Pete, proprietor of Pete’s TV and Video, who founded and runs his TV store as if it we were still in the 1980s. Pete was one of those retailers who appeared in his own TV commercials, an avatar for the likes of auto dealer Bob-ROAR-man, the Empire carpet guy and Peter Francis Geraci, who made other lawyers wince.
Pete is still living in the past and that’s the problem that drives this play. Pete is played by beloved Chicago actor Francis Guinan (Downstate, The Rembrandt), a veteran Steppenwolf ensemble member. His daughter Sam, who keeps explaining the modern era to her father, is played by Jenna Fischer (Pam in The Office). Her husband Mike, who wants to turn his graphic novel creations into a career in Hollywood animation, is played by Chiké Johnson (Toni Stone, Galileo’s Daughter). Directed by Susan V. Booth, this trio of great actors brings this funny, unabashedly Chicago story to vibrant life in the clutter of an old retail store—yes, on Ashland Avenue. The play is a pleasure to watch but it lacks the bite or sting that would make it a Chicago classic.
Pete is a true North side sports fan; he cheers for the Cubs and sobs at the memory of his late wife being a Sox fan. Of course, he’s also a Bears and Hawks fan and the play ends with Pete enthusiastically watching a Hawks game while eating microwave popcorn.
Playwright Lee Kirk (Ordinary World and The Giant Mechanical Man) is Fischer’s husband. His script is embroidered with many Chicago sports and cultural references, gleaned from Kirk’s time here as a DePaul University student (BFA in acting, 1996). Kirk comments on his time here in the playwright’s note in the Goodman playbill.
Director Booth makes the most of the delicate balance in the father-daughter relationship. Sam is trying to modernize her father and his business and she also wants to finally make a life for herself and her husband outside the store, where she spent her childhood and her teens and where she now works. Pete does everything he can to keep Sam and Mike tied to his business. Guinan plays the needy father with a devious streak as he tries to think of new ways to keep Sam and Mike in Chicago, when they are about to leave for Los Angeles. Unfortunately, Pete is unable to comprehend the changes in the retail landscape—the decline of superstores and the rise of online shopping, social media and home streaming. Having a sale or opening a second store (he used to own 16) isn’t going to resuscitate his business. Pete has never understood that he needs to move beyond his original customer base to reach a new market.
A related story thread is about Jess (Cordelia Dewdney), a young woman with small children, an ex-employee who moved into Pete’s house after her drug-addicted husband disappeared. It’s never clear how that relationship got started, but Pete enjoys playing grandpa to the two kids and desperately wants to keep Jess and her family with him.
The messily authentic Pete’s TV and Video Store is the work of scenic designer Kevin Depinet, with lighting design by Jason Lynch. Original music and sound design is by Lindsay Jones. Costumes are by Jessica Pabst. Jenna Fischer has her Chicago accent down cold, with the help of dialect coach Stan Brown. Jennifer Gregory is stage manager.
Ashland Avenue continues through October 12 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes including one intermission. Tickets are $49-$153 for performances Tuesday-Sunday.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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