What I liked
I loved the movies references and especially how CHINATOWN is a pivot point into the real-life mystery. The mystery unfolds in an intriguing way. And the resolution of that mystery — no spoilers — the why of it all, is poignant and sends you hurtling back through the play to its opening moments.
Transparency: My son is the star. I wasn’t allowed to read the script or see the show in prep because because everyone involved wanted me to be surprised by the final offering. The father-son relationship is inspired in part from our own real-life one, as I’m a live commentary track when we watch movies together. :-)
What I didn't like
Loved it. If anything, I’d like to see the show expanded to 90 minutes with more movie references and characters. And it would be great to give the audience some kind of souvenir to take home with them, perhaps a flyer to the storage unit where Luke works, or the list of movies with a short explanation of why they matter.
My overall impression
FROM HERE TO MATURITY is a terrific comedy-drama about a young man looking to find his way after a big life set back and which references classic movies for life lessons. The play is both a coming-of-tale and a mystery with comic elements. It’s a non-stop, high energy show with multimedia elements and Lucas isn’t still for a moment of its 50 minute run-time.
As a consequence of dropping out of school, Luke’s dad, a cinephile, insists that Luke get a job and watch a film once a week with him, in the hopes that their cinematic evenings together will enlighten his path. At first Luke resists, but comes to love the films he watches and the life lessons they offer. One film, CHINATOWN, teaches him that things are not always what they seem, and spurs him to uncover a real-life mystery.
