In Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on a lovely October day, a tight-knit group of birders gather with binoculars in hand hoping to spot something new and exciting to add to their life list of birds spotted. “What do you see,” queries Marje (Sally Wingert), the longtime group leader. Some see a black-billed cuckoo and some don’t. That is the catalyst that causes a meltdown for Ruth (Jeanine Serralles), a recent widow; a dilemma for Sadie (Jo Garcia-Reger), her daughter; a photo frenzy for Tessa (Jennifer Naimo), who spots it first; a conundrum for Marje as leader; and hearty peacemaking chores for Ed (Samuel Stricklen), an attorney.
We learn that Ruth’s husband was an active birdwatcher before his death, and the last bird he saw was this seldom-seen cuckoo. She becomes abnormally agitated when she doesn’t see it before it flies away. And that sets the cat among the pigeons.
This is a skilled and cohesive cast. Director Shelley Butler manages the humorous narrative with subtlety, making the absurd seem quite normal. In the wrong hands the story could been treated as a farce, but she injects humanity into the portrayals.
Naimo delivers as a tough leader who expects cooperation from her group. Van Heel is delightfully cheerful as he becomes the bewildered male in a female firestorm. Garcia-Reger navigates the frustration of wanting to be helpful and loving but almost out of patience with her mother. Wingert provides enthusiastic comedy with a camera and telephoto lens of supreme proportions. Serralles steals the show as the quirky, petulant widow who threatens never to leave the park until she sees that elusive bird, skillfully mixing comedy with regret. Her face registers a panoply of emotions as she upsets the entire team.
Wilson Chin’s scenic design makes the perfect backdrop for the park location. A simple tree, a park bench, and some tall foliage that serves as camouflage for a call to nature in one scene is inspired. One unintentional flaw may be that you keep looking at the tree for birds when none arrive. Costumes by David I. Reynoso match the personalities of each character. Phillip Rosenberg’s lighting design allows for 24 hours to elapse seamlessly. Animal Cracker Conspiracy’s bird puppet is a welcome addition to the whimsey, and Bobby McElver’ sound design is integral to the bird plot.
Mat Smart’s 90-minute tale embodies the best of storytelling. He sets forth a simple notion and provides each character with just enough conflict to keep the audience in suspense. Will they emerge to birdwatch another day? By story’s end, the audience has been amused and is ready to believe that things will ultimately work out in their favor.
La Jolla Playhouse Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. 7:30 PM Tues-Friday. 2 & 8 Sat, and 1 & 7 Sun. $30-69, 855-550-1010. Thru October 11.
