DESTINATION
Written by George Ayres, Directed by David R. Jarrott
Chain Theatre (312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018)
March 5th, 2026 - March 8th, 2026
Set in an assisted living facility in Houston, DESTINATION follows Howard Wright, an 83-year-old retired architect and recent widower on an unplanned epic journey. He has learned that Caroline, a woman he once loved and never forgot, is engaged to be married someone he doesn’t like one bit. With encouragement, Howard impulsively leaves his facility and sets out on a road trip to Caroline 3-hours away. Over 90-minutes we meet Howard’s neighbor, Gigi; his housekeeper of nearly half a century, Alma; his daughter, Jennifer and her high school sweetheart Robert; and Caroline, the one that got away. Each of these women play a major role in Howard’s life whether he realizes it or not.
My friends and I are of the age where our parents are aging and slowing down. One has spent more than a decade on speed-dial for shoveling and meal prep, another regularly makes the cross-country trek to spend as much of the time her dad has left with him. As such, Jennifer (Jessica Crandall) plight rings particularly true to me. She is facing a crisis within her marriage, and doesn’t want to let down the people who depend on her. Can she run off with Robert and be happy if it means alienating her boy and leaving her aging dad behind? When does she get to find happiness? Will she regret missing this chance?
Alma (Valerie Donaldson) who has been cleaning for the Wright family since Jennifer was 7, has witnessed all of their highs and lows. She can read the room and knows Howard is keenly aware that he has rounded third and is heading for home and has unfinished business. He isn’t satisfied looking out the window at the buildings he designed and thinking of days of glory. It’s her gentle nudge that sets Howard on the road to an unsuspecting Caroline. There is a catch – Howard’s daughter has taken his car away after numerous fender-benders. There is a solid chance that Howard doesn’t survive his road trip!
John Lenartz, a veteran of the Broadway, Off-Broadway and Regional stage shines as Mr. Wright. His Howard has us rooting for him to find happiness. He stands as a reminder that great actors, who find less work as they age, are hiding in plain sight in all of our NYC neighborhoods. Valerie Donaldson steals the show from the moment she takes the stage. Vibrant, funny and in the moment, you cannot take her eyes. Both stand out in George Ayres’ historical fiction on living without regret no matter your age. As they say, no one ever looks back and thinks, “I shouldn’t have eaten the cake.” Destination reminds us that we’re never too old to follow a dream – a sentiment expressed by director, David R. Jarrott, who said, “I always wanted to do something in New York City, and now I have.” And we are all better for it.
Destination has a short run, but it won’t be the last you hear of it. Catch it while you can!
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on March 7th 2026. All rights reserved.
