The life and times of a car salesman are chronicled in Test Drive, an award-winning play by Dave Carley which concludes the Theatre Orangeville 2005-06 season and opens April 21 at the Orangeville Town Hall Opera House.

Test Drive originally aired as a six-part series on CBC radio starring Gordon Pinsent. In it, Earl Hughes loves his wife, children and cars - and not always in that order. He also considers his life to be resoundingly ordinary, except that every 10 years or so he sets out on a test drive that rocks his world.

Earl's trip begins in 1954 - a hurricane is brewing but he still thinks he can sell a Nash Metropolitan to a would-be starlet. From there he drives through the Cold War, detours around Woodstock and eventually comes to a

screeching stop in 2004 - when Earl's journey ends - not in the way he expects and definitely not ordinarily.

"This is one of those plays that sneaks up on you and before it's done it takes you through the emotional gamut and leaves you wanting more," says a review in the Middlesex Banner.

"Test Drive is loaded with snappy dialogue and witty comments about life and times from the Fifties onwards," comments The Independent Plus.

Test Drive stars Avery Saltzman, one of Canada's most versatile character actors, who has been acting professionally for 25 years. He started his career at the Shaw Festival in "Lady Audley's Secret" and since that show has acted in every major venue across Canada. He recently starred as Edna in Mirvish's production

of Hairspray at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Theatre Orangeville audiences will remember him as the mentally challenged young man in Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun and as the hockey announcer, cum Don Cherry, in Home and Away.

The play also stars Leisa Way, who last year wowed audiences with her portrayal of legendary singer Patsy Cline in A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.

Theatre Orangeville is also welcoming a new member to their stage in Andy Pogson, who has spent several seasons at Stratford.

The wild and comic ride runs from April 21 to May 7, and those who buy tickets before April 21 will have an opportunity to win a weekend "test drive" of a Ford Mustang, courtesy of Orangeville Budget Car and Truck Rental.