First Stage's Donald Driver play 'Dream, Quickie, Dream!' is an inspirational family story

Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver won both a Super Bowl and "Dancing With the Stars." So is there anything this irrepressible man can't do?

Well, "Dream, Quickie, Dream!" suggests he can't make a fussy baby go to sleep (welcome to the parenthood club, Donald). So this inspirational guy is going to need inspiration from someone else.

First Stage's world premiere production opened Friday night at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, which co-commissioned its creation (Driver has served as cultural ambassador for MPAC). Playwright Gloria Bond Clunie has drawn on Driver's children's books about Quickie, his boyhood self, in fashioning this fast-moving family story; First Stage recommends it for people 7 and older.

The cool storytelling part of this show is the direction of the pep talk. Bleary-eyed adult Donald (Denzel Taylor) dreams of or imagines a visit from his younger alter ego Quickie (Caiden Chambers, one of two boys who plays this role during the production). Flashbacks to Quickie's life remind the frazzled dad of the challenges he's already overcome by working hard, dreaming big and staying positive.

Sports narratives are saturated with inspirational stories, but Driver has totally earned his. Growing up in Texas, the young Driver experienced poverty, family disruption and periods of homelessness; Clunie's script touches on these points in direct but gentle ways.

Athletically speaking, nearly everyone thinks the speedy Quickie is too small to play football, so he has to prove himself over and over. His hardworking mother (Patrice Hood) reminds him football is a privilege earned through meeting his responsibilities. Avuncular neighbor Mr. Peters (Allen D. Edge) provides a blend of wisdom and humor.

Milwaukee theater artist Dimonte Henning directed "Quickie." Theater is a team game, so Henning had crucial assistance from sound designer Antoine Reynolds and choreographer Christopher Gilbert (both the First Stage kids and Edge get to bust a move in this show).

One important thread is how Quickie cares for his dog, Greatness. Lonnae Hickman coordinated the animal puppets here, deftly operated by cast members. I think I speak for millions when I say there should be animal puppets in all the First Stage shows!

The audience greeted the real Donald Driver with enthusiasm when he went onstage to make a few pre-show remarks. Driver spent much of intermission taking selfies with people. He returned onstage for the curtain call, greeting playwright Clunie with a warm hug.

If you go

First Stage performs "Dream, Quickie, Dream!" through Oct. 29 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. For tickets, visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First Stage's show 'Dream, Quickie, Dream!' is an inspirational story