Remember what Chicago’s West Rogers Park was like in 1979? Ok, maybe you do and maybe you don’t. But for those that don’t Crossing California delivers a powerful, but comedic, look into the past in this coming of age story based on the novel by Adam Langer. For those that do remember, Crossing is a wonderful reminiscence of what is was like to be a teen in yet another controversial era. 

Taking place in a predominately middle-class Jewish neighborhood, the story intertwines the lives of three families into a smart, and touching, tale of growing pains and discovery. In 1979, Ronald Reagan was about to take his place in the White House and the daily news covered the developing hostage situation in Iran. At the same time, Crossing California takes an insightful look into family dysfunction, teen lust, and social yearning.

Darren Myers is heartwarming in his Lifeline Theatre debut as Muley Wills who is in love with his best friend Jill Wasserstrom (Kate Nawrocki), an idealistic eighth grader who looks to defend the Ayatollah Khomeini in a school debate and then sabotage her own Bat Mitzvah. Muley, an aspiring filmmaker, doesn’t understand her ideology but longs for her just the same. Despite her aspirations to just remain friends, Muley courts her with a series of short films that exclaim his love for her. In the meantime, his book hungry mother Deirdre Wills (Jaclyn Williams) is housekeeping, but Muley has a plan to brighten her future. Muley’s neighborhood hero Straight Arrow Farrow (Bryson Engelen), a radio station employee and desiring screenplay writer provides him with inspiration and advice.

Jill’s older sister Michelle, wonderfully played by Katie McLean, is a talented drama student with a much rougher edge and curiosity for the wild side. Though their widowed, mild-mannered father Charlie Wasserstrom (Hanlon Smith-Dorsey) has his hands full raising the two girls, things get more complicated when he starts dating – especially when Michelle does what ever she can to make the situation as uncomfortable as possible.

Down the street lives Larry Rovner (Dylan Lower) who’s busy with his band “Rovner”. Larry wants to be a rock star and specializes in writing Jewish-oriented songs to impress neighborhood girls. He later uses his cheesy skills to get Michelle into bed but she just wants to smoke a joint. Dylan Lower was genuine and did an excellent job encompassing the traits of the teenage character with the gullibility and arrogance that most of us remember. Larry’s slow-witted sister Lana (Amanda Gregg) also shared residence and provided many laughs in a “dumb blonde” fashion.

Allison Cain is fantastic in multiple roles as a radio station director, Charlie’s new love interest and Great Aunt Beileh. At the same time, Stephen Loch shows his versatility by playing Michelle’s ever-loyal gay friend, a drama teacher with an eye for his young female students, Muley’s estranged Russian father, and a wild-eyed, rambunctious radio show host.

California Crossing is unique because it realistically captures the essence of teenagers, or at least the ones I remember. Pot smoking, political diatribes, family tribulations, sex, music, love, jealousy, high school pressures, and dreams...am I leaving anything out?