By AJ Jaffari

What happens when a mother’s past collides with her son’s search for identity? A Driving Beat at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley hits the stage with rhythm, heart, and honesty, blending a contemporary story of family and self-discovery with the pulse of hip-hop. Written by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, this world premiere production takes a familiar journey—the road trip—and turns it into a lyrical exploration of love, race, and what it truly means to belong.

The story follows a white mother and her brown adopted son as they embark on a cross-country road trip that becomes so much more than miles traveled. Set to the teen’s driving hip-hop beat, their journey unfolds as a heartfelt, often funny, and deeply human voyage toward understanding. With its mix of modern sound, poetic storytelling, and emotional truth, A Driving Beat reminds us that sometimes the hardest roads lead us right where we’re meant to be.

With an unsettling relevance to today’s world, I found myself deeply moved by this show. Some moments felt raw, loud, and strikingly real, while others landed like a wake-up call to those still blind to the realities many Americans face. At its core, A Driving Beat is a story layered with themes of identity, love, and understanding—each one woven together in a way that kept me engaged from start to finish.

Lee Ann Payne absolutely exceeds in this role, delivering what feels like a masterclass in acting for the entire 90 minutes of the show. She brings a level of ingenuity and authenticity to the performance that’s rare to see, especially in a role this emotionally demanding. From the moment she stepped on stage, I believed every word she said and felt every emotion she carried.

Jon Viktor Corpuz is equally remarkable—a performer to keep an eye on. He brought such depth and honesty to his role that it felt completely real. I was so captivated by his journey that I almost forgot I was watching a work of fiction, which doesn’t happen often for me. Together, Payne and Corpuz shared a chemistry that was simply unmatched, grounding the show in something raw, intimate, and deeply human.

This was a show that was clearly and intricately designed with care. I was immediately struck by Christopher Fitzer’s set design—bold, imaginative, and beautifully provocative. The use of color, the aesthetic cohesion, and the practical elements all worked seamlessly together to capture the essence of a cross-country road trip. It was one of those designs that not only looked great but truly helped tell the story.

Another special shoutout goes to sound designer Cliff Caruthers, who had his hands full with an array of sound cues. As a (very novice) sound designer myself, I was genuinely impressed by the precision and timing of every sound choice—it elevated the show’s rhythm and atmosphere in such a subtle yet powerful way.

And at the heart of it all, a huge round of applause is owed to director Jeffrey Lo. Under his direction, this piece unfolded as a tragically beautiful and thought-provoking story that moved me deeply—at several moments, nearly to tears. You can feel the care, time, and intention that went into shaping a show as meaningful as this one. It’s an important piece of theater, and I can’t recommend it enough. Do yourself a favor and catch it while you can.

A Driving Beat runs through November 23 and tickets are available here.