College. Alone, it’s a simple word, yet remarkably daunting and complex when placed into context. Which ones will you apply for? What will you study? In-state or out-of-state? Four year, community college, or trade school? Dorms or apartment? Go Greek? The questions are incessant. For families that are having to deal with such a transition, the pressures are tremendous and the expectations are overwhelming. The student is subjected to the uncertainty inherent to being emancipated from their parents, making individual decisions and meeting new people and colleagues. The parents are subjected to the uncertainty of being emancipated from their child, hoping that they succeed on their own, while making the correct decisions along the way.

“The Pursuit of Happiness”, written by Richard Dresser and performed in the Oldfather Theatre at TCTA is where we find the family of Annie (Erica Fox) and Neil (David Timpany) and their daughter Jodi (Rachelle Matthews), all who are facing the many dilemmas that come along with that transition.

Jodi, having been exceptional in high school, feels that college isn’t the right fit for her after graduation, and balks at mailing her enrollment application by the deadline. Unsure of her direction, she wants to make a difference in the world and forge her own path, but is unsure if she can obtain happiness for herself by attending college.

Annie, on the other hand is positive that Jodi will never be happy unless she attends college and experiences everything that she didn’t during her own days at college. Assuming that Jodi is as excited as she is, Annie is overbearing in her efforts, all the while pushing Jodi further away from the idea of college.

Neil gets caught between the duo, attempting to be supportive on both fronts. He understands his daughter’s desire for a hiatus, but also wants her to apply and pursue scholarly endeavors. Finally resigning himself to the position of a lone spectator, he allows Jodi to come to her own conclusion lovingly and sportively, contributing quirky anecdotes along her path.

Realizing that Jodi’s chances are slim on the late application, Annie takes matters into her own hands and meets up with an old college acquaintance, “Spud” (Raymond Remp Jr.), who happens to work in the applications office. Annie tries to call in a favor, but finds that Spud has idolized her since college. Taking advantage of him and his position, Annie takes things into her own hands, but regrets everything directly afterward.

Tucker (David Greenbaum) is the co-worker Neil approaches and tries to befriend after six years acquaintance. In his attempt, though, Neil finds Tucker to be incredibly eccentric. This character is essential to the play, being the comic relief throughout the turmoil running throughout and Greenbaum steps up and nails it.

With a cast of only five, the play relies on character interaction, which is done very well by the cast. Each character is honed by each actor, keeping true throughout, which is important in a play of this nature.

Adam Jenks is creative and thorough with his set and lights, allowing vision to the small space through severed walls, complete with insulation, and the extrapolated spaces aside the main facade.

In this play, it was every character’s prerogative to be happy. The antithesis was the theme in each character’s plight throughout, with each wishing, needing, or doing something to turn things around. When they did, though, things only got progressively worse. So… What IS happiness? Happiness is conceptually intangible. No matter what their fashion or status in life, an individual can never truly be happy.

Pessimistic as it may sound, there’s always a better paying job, or a fancier, more expensive car, or higher status/clout at the Country Club. One needs to stop and smell the roses sometimes to truly appreciate everything with which they have been blessed. When one does, then and ONLY then can one be truly happy. There ARE rose bushes in the landscaping around TCTA, so be sure to breathe deep on the way past to the Box Office to get your tickets for your chance to enjoy and appreciate “The Pursuit of Happiness” for yourself.

“The Pursuit of Happiness” runs June 25 – July 3. Check TCTA’s website for a schedule.

[June 2010 | Nathan Schroeder | image courtesy TCTA]