Birthdays Are Like Boomerangs

Revolution

Someone once wrote that best friends are like soulmates. They stick by your side, no matter what. And that’s what playwright Bret Neveu celebrates in his world premiere that’s named for the hair salon where two of the three characters are employed. In fact Puff, the newly-appointed manager of Revolution Hair Cuts, has decided to commemorate her 26th birthday in an unusual location: the alley behind the mall where she works. She agrees to share the day with her best friend and co-worker, Jame. The Rain Forest Cafe looms just 300 feet away and serves up some provocative drinks, perfect for a special occasion. But their hard-earned paychecks can go a lot further and provide a greater blowout on the loading dock of Revolution. 

The play’s title has several meanings. When one hears revolution, at first a rebellion or overthrowing of a government comes to mind. But it can also simply mean a shakeup or a change. With Puff’s new position as boss of the hair salon a change will most certainly be coming. She promises to be a much more fair and honest administrator of the shop. But also, revolution can mean a cycle. Celebrating a birthday signifies the completion of one year and the beginning of another. It’s a recognition of a fresh, brand new start, possibly more in keeping with what the playwright had in mind with the title of his play.

Birthdays are like boomerangs—they just keep coming back! Don’t worry about your age. You’ll be as young as you feel after a few birthday drinks! They say that wisdom comes with age so you must be really wise by now! This is the way Jame and Puff  joke with each other, while madly running through idea after idea for how to best celebrate the occasion. Then along comes Georgia.

This eccentric, extremely erratic woman tells the girls that she works at Ross For Less, located at the other end of the mall. Georgia’s really just passing through the alley on the way to her car, ready to relax after a long day of work. When she encounters Puff and Jame they exchange the typical courteous pleasantries; but when Georgia learns that it’s Puff’s birthday, she’s ready to stay and party hearty. As kooky as they come, Georgia starts spouting screwball statements and insane ideas, suggesting unusual ways for celebrating Puff’s birthday. Soon she’s sharing all kinds of strange pieces of personal information and off-the-wall theories about life.

It’s finally decided that the birthday party will happen in the back alley. Jame, the younger and more levelheaded member of the trio, decides to drive over to the liquor store and pick up a variety of boozy beverages, an assortment of candy and treats and a few birthday surprises for the group. While running her errand, Puff and Georgia let down their hair and really get to know each other. Stories are shared, jokes are told, philosophies about life are related and we soon realize that meeting Georgia is good for the angst-ridden Puff. When Jame returns, the party in the alley commences with the liquor flowing and a number of unexpected surprises surfacing.

The stars must’ve aligned recently because the entire creative team bringing this 90-minute entertainment to life have achieved theatrical perfection. Brett Neveu’s play swells with a tsunami of unexpected humor and insights. Talented and incisive company member Travis A. Knight gloriously guides this hilarious and bountiful comedy with wit and wisdom. His direction seems focused, yet natural, upon Kotryna Hilko’s intricately detailed stage setting. 

All the laughter and observations about life begin early on with Puff and Jame. But when Georgia enters the stage, all bets are off and insanity reigns. This mature, singularly bizarre woman constantly makes daffy declarations and outrageous observations, while offering advice that’s playful and sometimes pretty profound. Seen recently at A Red Orchid in “Bald Sisters,” the gifted Stephanie Shum is Puff. She plays this earnest, anxiety-ridden, sometimes indecisive young woman with a great deal of power and passion. Ms. Shum’s performance is nicely balanced by Taylor Blim’s portrayal of Jame. As Puff’s co-worker and bestie, she brings youthful whimsy and joy to the play, while providing honest emotional support to her friend. 

But make no mistake: the inimitable Natalie West, another A Red Orchid Ensemble member, is the reason to see this production. She’s a national treasure. Known to many theatergoers as Crystal on the television sitcom, “Roseanne,” the talented Ms. West is also an accomplished stage actress. Natalie’s a gift to any theatrical production in which she appears. A true mistress of comedy and non sequiturs, Natalie has appeared at just about every Chicago theater. Besides the many productions at A Red Orchid, she’s been seen and adored at Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Steppenwolf and the Goodman, among others. In this new production, all Ms. West’s comic and dramatic talents are on display. She truly makes this production a true must-see.

So birthdays are like boomerangs because they keep coming back. But if they can be celebrated like Puff, Jame and Georgia commemorate this special occasion, maybe birthdays are so bad after all.  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 7-October 29 by A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells Street, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 312-943-8722 or by going to www.aredorchidtheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can  found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.