It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic William Tanner House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Aurora, IL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I highly recommend this care company. Specifically Marya, one of the executive managers, went above”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure”
“I am a current client of this provider They give her breakfast. We have had other companies,”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care sends friendly caregivers who have”
“I am a past client of this provider I just thought that they were there and”
“The team was fantastic. The young lady that came to my home was attentive and”
“I am a current client of this provider The one woman we really like, we work”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with the shopping. They are useful.”
“I have been with Always Best Care for a year now and I can honestly”
“great service”
“5 Star ⭐️ rating for working for and with Always Best it’s so flexible, and”
“They have good service and are very open to different people”
“You can tell this service truly cares about their clients and clients’ families. They wanted”
“I highly recommend this care company. Specifically Marya, one of the executive managers, went above and beyond to make sure my dad was comfortable, and the care giving was done well. Relatives commented on the house looking cleaner than they could remember! When my father had to move on to more intensive setting, Marya helped take stress off the family by helping us conduct legwork in locating a facility. Even though Dad has moved on, Marya still shows care and concern for our family by periodically checking in. Thank you for everything!!”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure to work with and are very caring and concerned for their clients.”
“Not only were the caregivers amazing, but The management team was such a pleasure to work with and are very caring and concerned for their clients.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give her breakfast. We have had other companies, but we have been able to stick with always best for a while.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care sends friendly caregivers who have had a positive impact on Pamella's life. Always Best Care is very responsive and helpful to me. They provide reliable and quality caregivers.”
“I am a past client of this provider I just thought that they were there and did a great job. I thought they were very caring.”
“The team was fantastic. The young lady that came to my home was attentive and conscientious about my property, as well as my needs. I am truly impressed by the organization, the quality of people and the way they do business.”
“I am a current client of this provider The one woman we really like, we work really well. I like the one person we get every week. It depends on who you have and how well they're trained.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with the shopping. They are useful.”
“I have been with Always Best Care for a year now and I can honestly tell you they are some of the best people to work with, Cindy conducted my interview and walked me through the hiring process and explained my duties and responsibilities to my client, she's always available for any questions that you may have. Ragu the owner has an opened door policy where we can call him at any time and he will address any concerns that we may have. Nicole is the newcomer to the group she is the scheduler And she works within the schedule that we give her, she's also willing to make last minute adjustments if we need the day off or if there's an emergency with no problem this agency in my humble opinion is one of the best to work for.”
“great service”
“5 Star ⭐️ rating for working for and with Always Best it’s so flexible, and understanding I appreciate Always Best We had a wonderful experience working With Mr. Raghu he’s very kind and considerate not only to the people we care for but to his employees to. I encourage all caregivers to join our team today you will love it.”
“They have good service and are very open to different people”
“You can tell this service truly cares about their clients and clients’ families. They wanted to ensure they were satisfied as well. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was due to some disconnect I felt with communication, but they were very responsive when I reached out. Would definitely try them again if (God forbid) the need arises for the care of an ill loved one.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting McCullough Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Turf Room or visit Holbrook Mill, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Aurora, IL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Aurora, IL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Aurora, IL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
AURORA, IL — Paramount Theatre's Bold Series will be put on hiatus after the final performance of "True West" Aug. 31 due to budget cuts, executives announced Monday evening."This decision was not made lightly," the Aurora Civic Center Authority and Paramount Theatre Board of Directors wrote in a letter. "The Bold Series has been a vital and vibrant part of our programming, offering compelling, provocative, and important work in an intimate setting. We are immensely proud of the stories told on the Bold ...
AURORA, IL — Paramount Theatre's Bold Series will be put on hiatus after the final performance of "True West" Aug. 31 due to budget cuts, executives announced Monday evening.
"This decision was not made lightly," the Aurora Civic Center Authority and Paramount Theatre Board of Directors wrote in a letter. "The Bold Series has been a vital and vibrant part of our programming, offering compelling, provocative, and important work in an intimate setting. We are immensely proud of the stories told on the Bold stage and the artists who brought them to life."
As the City of Aurora grapples with "widespread budgetary constraints," the Aurora Civic Center Authority and Paramount Theatre Board of Directors were advised that their previously allocated municipal support could be reduced by up to 65 percent, though final numbers are not yet confirmed, according to a news release from the organization.
As a municipal corporation, ACCA operates differently than many theaters in the region and does not receive a direct operating subsidy from local property taxes, the Board explained.
Mayor John Laesch countered the information released by the ACCA and board of directors in a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying, "The claim that the City is 'reducing previously committed municipal support by up to 65%' is false. Any financial commitment from the City of Aurora would need to follow the City Council approval process, which was never done."
The Aurora City Council voted in 2024 to allocate no more than $13.8 million to help the ACCA this year, Laesch explained. This included purchasing a parking lot from the ACCA for $10 million to help offset a deficit in the organization's budget, as well as $1.3 million for the costs of constructing the Stolp Island Theatre and $2.5 million for the Fox River Promenade update, he said.
The city also previously allocated $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the ACCA as a one-time assistance for recovering from the pandemic, according to Laesch.
"With the exception of ACCA's management of RiverEdge Park and its portion of Head Tax from the Hollywood Casino, the organization has never had a budget line in the City's general fund," Laesch said. "I have no plans to cut any existing funding pertaining to ACCA’s services rendered to the City."
According to Laesch, the ACCA requested $7 million from the city for 2026 to cover the expected deficit. The organization "has been running a consistent $5 to $7 million deficit annually (2024, 2025, and projected in 2026 before the cut to the BOLD Series)," he said.
"We have offered a path towards adding a regular subsidy into the general fund for ACCA, but that will take an effective partnership and a collaborative, clear plan towards long-term financial stability," Laesch said.
Paramount Theatre has operated with a commitment to maintain accessibility, offering "pay what you can" performances to help keep ticket prices affordable. And with more than 40,000 subscribers, Paramount Theatre is home to the largest Broadway subscription series base in the county.
"While increasing prices might seem like an easy solution, we believe it would undermine the very foundation of inclusivity of our community that makes Paramount special," the Board wrote.
The theater will reduce its overall programming from 900 to about 700 performances annually, and intends to cancel the Chicago-area premiere of "Covenant" and a new staging of the cult classic "Ride the Cyclone." Show-goers who purchased tickets in advance will be refunded, officials said.
Additional reductions in programming at Paramount Theatre, Copley Theatre, RiverEdge Park and the Paramount School of the Arts might be forthcoming "in the weeks ahead as we work through this fiscal reality," the letter read.
"We know this is disappointing," the Board stated. "It is heartbreaking for us, too. Yet we remain hopeful. The City’s financial outlook and willingness to support our programming may shift in the future, and we are optimistic that — when it does — we will have the opportunity to bring back the Bold Series and other programs that serve our mission and our community so deeply."
Inbound and outbound Metra BNSF train service has been restored following a freight train derailment Friday morning in Aurora, Illinois.The derailment happened near Route 59, causing limited service from Chicago to that Route. Trains #1205 and #1211 accommodated passengers during that period.Service resumed around 8 a.m. The agency said trains are operating normally now after Friday morning's disruption.CBS Skywatch was over the tracks after the freight train was cleared, and saw significant damage. Metal rails were bent...
Inbound and outbound Metra BNSF train service has been restored following a freight train derailment Friday morning in Aurora, Illinois.
The derailment happened near Route 59, causing limited service from Chicago to that Route. Trains #1205 and #1211 accommodated passengers during that period.
Service resumed around 8 a.m. The agency said trains are operating normally now after Friday morning's disruption.
CBS Skywatch was over the tracks after the freight train was cleared, and saw significant damage. Metal rails were bent, warped and broken, and the wooden ties were also badly damaged and broken.
It was not clear how long repairing that stretch of track will take.
The line belonged to BNSF Railway, and it was a BNSF freight train that derailed. They will be responsible for making repairs, a Metra spokesperson said.
Passengers can continue to check for updates through Metra's website.
Jeramie Bizzle is a web producer for CBS Chicago. Jeramie began working with CBS Chicago as an intern in 2017 and returned as a full-time Web Producer in 2021. He has previously written for the Austin Weekly Newspaper, OakPark.com and Sportskeeda.
The festival features short films by Midwest directors as well as trolley rides, brunch and an afterparty.AURORA, IL — The Midwest Film Festival, based in Chicago, is bringing its "Midwest Roadshow" to Aurora on Saturday.Each year, the Midwest Film Festival takes its programming on the road to a new Midwest city, and this summer, it's collaborating with the City of Lights Film Festival to bring its curated short film program, along with filmmaker Q-and-As, to Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd.The ...
AURORA, IL — The Midwest Film Festival, based in Chicago, is bringing its "Midwest Roadshow" to Aurora on Saturday.
Each year, the Midwest Film Festival takes its programming on the road to a new Midwest city, and this summer, it's collaborating with the City of Lights Film Festival to bring its curated short film program, along with filmmaker Q-and-As, to Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd.
The short films will span genres including satire, documentary and animation.
"Aurora's film festival encourages local submissions and prides itself on the access audiences have to creative programming during our festival weekend," City of Lights Film Festival Director Sam Loveland said in a statement. "Bringing the Midwest Roadshow event to Aurora this June advances both the City of Lights' and Midwest Film's desire to connect communities through a love of film and storytelling."
Here's a look at the schedule for the day:
Noon to 1 p.m. — Brunch at Two Brothers Roundhouse
1-2:15 p.m. — Trolley and exploration of downtown Aurora
2:30-5 p.m. — Screenings at Copley Theater
5-7 p.m. — After party at Craft Urban
Festivalgoers traveling from Chicago can meet at Union Station, 210 S. Canal St., at 9:45 a.m. to board the BNSF Metra bound for Aurora at 10 a.m.
Tickets that include roundtrip Metra fare cost $50 for early birds — this type can still be purchased as of publication — while last-call tickets increase to $85. Admission without train tickets costs $45. The local admission does not include brunch at Two Brothers Roundhouse.
There are no true westerns anymore.Part of the dialogue from the current production in the BOLD series at Paramount’s Copley Theatre. The late, great Sam Shepard’s 1980 play True West is running through August 31. There is a reason this series is called BOLD. This is an intense, dark and, at times, funny play. There are moments of ...
There are no true westerns anymore.
Part of the dialogue from the current production in the BOLD series at Paramount’s Copley Theatre. The late, great Sam Shepard’s 1980 play True West is running through August 31. There is a reason this series is called BOLD. This is an intense, dark and, at times, funny play. There are moments of holding your breath, gasping out loud and, sometimes, laughing.
The emotions of this play grab you in different ways during each scene. It’s the story of 2 estranged brothers who are now living together in their Mother’s home while she is in Alaska. Austin (Jack Ball making his memorable Copley debut) is a screenwriter and is hoping to make a deal with producer Saul Kimmer (smoothly played by Joshua L. Green). Austin’s brother Lee (terrifyingly played by Ben Page) arrives shortly before Saul. Lee needs money so he robs homes at night.
He learns from Austin that a screenplay can reap monetary rewards so he decides to do a screenplay. It is a very bizarre Western. He meets Saul and convinces him to play to golf so he can pitch his idea. Saul loses the golf game to Lee. They had made a bet that if Saul lost, he would do Lee’s screenplay and not Austin’s. This begins a very horrible sibling rivalry. Austin now is drinking heavily and Lee is trying to write his screenplay. At this point it feels like the brothers have switched personalities.
Between Austin’s drunkenness and the constant crickets, Lee loses composure in a way that has the audience holding its breath. The house is now a mess. Lee and Austin are trying to one up each other. During all of this, their Mother (Caron Buinis) arrives home. Her sons are out of control and fighting. She doesn’t stay long. Austin and Lee continue to fight and as the stage goes to black at the end, there is no resolution. The audience does not know how it ends. We have to draw our own conclusion.
Artistic Director and director, Jim Corti, has created a work that will give you pause about family, truth and control. The other star of this production is the kitchen designed by Lauren M. Nichols. It looks like a working kitchen which includes a wall phone and fully stocked cabinets. In one scene, Austin is making coffee – you can smell the coffee. In another scene, which is incredibly funny, there are toasters and Austin has made toast. Yes, you can smell the toast. Sound designer Forrest Gregor has the crickets chirping from outside throughout the entire show. Properties Designer Ivy Thomas has made sure the kitchen is complete in every way possible.
This is not a happy story, but if you want to see and hear good storytelling, this is the show. Sam Shepard brought out the best and worst in actors in performing his works. This is his legacy. It has been performed many times. This production is one not to be missed. Copley, I think Sam would be very proud of this telling.
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