Bonded Over Birding

Birds of North America

Anna Ouyang Moench’s powerful one-act play is being given a beautiful production by A Red Orchid Theatre. This is a quietly sweet and reflective story about family relationships. It’s about two generations, a father and an adult daughter, who have bonded over birding through the years. Set in the backyard of John’s longtime, rural Maryland home, the leaves have turned color and, with each scene, time passes and the falling leaves accumulate on the lawn. As the years pass, Caitlyn and her father spend quality time together at home, searching for birds while also searching for a deeper appreciation and understanding of each another.

John is from a generation who feels that his chosen career defines who he is now and will always be; Caitlyn doesn’t share this sentiment. She sees a job as simply a way to earn money to live and pay one’s bills. Throughout the play we observe and empathize with this Millennial young woman who has constantly searched for who she is and what will make her happy, while still earning a living. We learn how this family has coped with various challenges and differences of opinion, have they’ve adapted and continued to change. But throughout the arguments and discussions, the barbed criticisms and unintended insults, there’s always a deep love and respect between father and daughter. And as their conversations often seem to drive the two apart, their shared devotion to birding always brings them back together again and reconnects the love.

BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA is an exquisite emotional experience that may bring tears to your eyes. Multitalented Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald has given Chicago one of the finest, most heartfelt productions of the New Year. Beginning with Morgan Laszo’s realistic and immersive Scenic Design, this entire production is absolutely first rate. The audience enters the theatre, passing the screened-in porch and onto the wooden deck, then down two steps and into their seats in the leaf-littered backyard. The trees, ragged tomato plants and assorted garden tools fill the surrounding area, courtesy of Spencer Diaz Tootle’s accumulation of Props and Set Dressing. The atmosphere is alive with the songs of chirping birds and the flapping of wings overhead, thanks to Ethan Korvne’s incredibly realistic environmental Sound Design and subtle musical composition. And Lighting Designer Seojung Jang has colored her illumination in cool tones that help suggest an authenticity to the Autumn air.

Ms. Fitzgerald has staged, guided and shaped her two gifted actors with her delicate Direction. John Judd, one of Chicago’s finest veteran actors, brings John to life in a lovely, perfectly-hewn and understated performance that is most definitely award-worthy. His quiet observations about his family are balanced with his character’s astute criticisms about his fears for our endangered environment. Mr. Judd has appeared in theaters all over Chicago, as well as having given powerful performances at A Red Orchid in such plays as THE MALIGNANT AMPERSAND, THE CAVE and SIX MEN DRESSED LIKE JOSEPH STALIN.

Talented actor and writer, Cassidy Slaughter-Mason splendidly creates a character in Caitlyn who is natural and nuanced. She’s easily recognizable as one of the many Millennials who’s constantly trying new routes toward a satisfying life. Cassidy provides the empathy in this strained relationship. She also presents both a sounding board for John’s well-founded tirades, while being a loving adversary with whom her father can spar. It’s easy to see why Ms. Slaughter-Mason earned a Jeff Award for her performance in THE LUCKIEST, at Raven Theatre. She was also nominated for the Goodman’s RAPTURE BLISTER BURN.

John and Caitlyn scan the Autumn skies above their suburban Maryland family home, searching for any new species of birds to add to John’s diary of avian observations. And as they search for the elusive winged creatures, they also search for understanding and a connection between their generations. But children grow up and parents age as our world and the environment keeps changing. Yet in this astonishing play, now in a magnificent and moving production at A Red Orchid Theatre, the bonding over birding brings a father and daughter together in unexpected ways. This is truly a must-see production that theatergoers don’t want to miss.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 15-March 8 by A Red Orchid, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person 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 be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.