Detroit--A City

Why Detroit?

            Detroit, Michigan is a mid-sized city situated in the heartland or mid-America.  It is a synonym for your average American city with all the trials and joys of city life. Lisa D’Amour has created a neighborhood in this typical city to highlight the trials and tribulations of a middle-class couple and their new neighbors, a down-on-luck couple. They are living in a declining neighborhood. Mary is a woman with an alcohol problem and Ben is a banker who has been terminated; they start to develop a relationship and a friendship with Kenny, a contractor, and Sharon, his wife. Kenny and Sharon have just been released from a rehab center that deals in substance abuse. This is the basis for the play, Detroit. D’Amour has chosen the title “Detroit” because she view the city of Detroit as an anonymous city filled with people similar to her characters.

            Detroit is an interesting play that appears to deal with the deterioration of the average American couple and their marriage due to circumstance in their lives. Mary has turned to alcohol in order to avoid the pitfalls of her life and marriage. Ben has lost his job and is attempting to start his own financial business, but Mary believes that he should be further along in the process. The issue of substance abuse in modern American life is an issue that is faced by many in cities throughout this country. The declining economy is also highlighted by D’Amour when she has Sharon and Kenny discussing the loss of Kenny’s job and the fact that Ben has been laid off due to budget cuts at his job. This occurs every day in every city. Detroit is an allusion to cities everywhere in the United States. Couples can and do overcome their marital problems by pulling together in rough times and supporting each other through these times.

            At the end of the play, Mary and Ben appear to be coming together. Their house has been burned to the ground; their car is old and in need of repairs. They do not have much in the manner of material possessions but they do have each other. Ben and Mary view their loss as an opportunity to start a new life, much like couples in every city in America. They will find their “Detroit” wherever they settle.