Happy Birthday, Wanda June

See it if You like stories with topical plots, this one, though written during the Vietnam era could not be more relevant to today’s headlines.

Don't see it if You don’t like a lot of symbolism, exaggeration and satire used to make some very serious points.

Also I loved this show. I thought it was very creatively directed and superbly acted and the timing of this revival could not be more appropriate!... Read more Read less

See it if you like the offbeat offered by Vonnegut presented in a glamorous set with solid acting, making you laugh and compare to today's newsmakers.

Don't see it if you want a calm evening in the theater. This is an energetic romp from beginning to end that may be offensive to some.

See it if Errant husband returns to family after extended absence. In Vonnegut's testosterone-fueled satirical world, all alphas are apes and "A"s.

Don't see it if Shag carpet underfoot! Poly-carbon allergy alert! Wall-to-wall, even under your seat. High prod. values, but 2 hrs of Neanderthal caricature

See it if inventively/w humor reflects macho aggressiveness in set, characters mimicking animals, songs of the '50s/60s: "you belong to me"

Don't see it if dated satire of Hemingway machismo; frenetic and overacted (other than by fine K McCluggage), more cartoon than sharp social criticism

Also It's hard to act successfully in an absurdist play where characters are often primarily stand-ins for ideas. In this case, the actor (Jason O’Connell) who plays the Hemingway character does so in an unrelentingly exaggerated manner as the personification of toxic aggression. In contrast, Kate McCluggage, playing his wife Penelope (in a conscious nod to Homer's wife who waited for Homer to return after a long absence), shows the many dimensions of her character, at times exasperated, terrorized, zany, empowered. Though O'Connell's scene-chewing acting grabs most of the attention, McCluggage is the one to watch.... Read more Read less

See it if entertaining, excellent acting. Play is OK but not great. Interesting in way fourth wall is broken throughout. Nice 1970s costumes.

Don't see it if you won't enjoy an actor wildly roaming around the stage in an animal-like & violent manner. Incredible performance, difficult to watch.

Also Jason O'Connell's performance is riveting, but after awhile it also becomes too much. He does a great job but the character's wild behavior in the play and the play itself kind of goes on and on to nowhere. All the actors were fantastic.... Read more Read less

See it if You have the patience to hang in there. The first act of this play is bad including the acting. But all of the acting gets better

Don't see it if you like to understand what you are watching.

Also This is one of these plays that I go to and just feel extremely stupid. There were a handful of people who left at intermission. But there were also people who laughed and seemed to really enjoy it. I just looked at some of the reviews on here and I am blown away by how much people like this play. I just didn’t get it at all. The main actor gets so much praise and he does a great job in the second act but he is extremely over-the-top and annoying entire first act. I get that his character is supposed to be hated but there is a difference between being hated and over-the-top I have a feeling I would not like anything by this author... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience a carefully crafted production that is definitely “theatre of the absurd” as well as sadly relevant ! It’s Vonnegut �

Don't see it if You can’t go with the flow ! You don’t like plays that ridicule traditional roles of masculinity. You don’t like Kurt Vonnegut’s style.

See it if You’re a Vonnegut fan! Great acting!

Don't see it if If you’re looking for a really straight play.

See it if Harold returns Odysseus-like to wife Penelope who is besieged by suitors. Conquering hero Harold heads the household with hyper-masculinity.

Don't see it if Harold’s vicious behavior and savage grunts are vaguely reminiscent of the way Trump and the Trumpsters are attempting to govern.

See it if you love brilliantly staged & acted over the top farce.This surreal show is over long, but truly fun. Great tech elements.Direction is great

Don't see it if you want a show with a real point to make. This is a very funny and well acted fantastical farce.

See it if You like Vonnegut's sensibilities. You appreciate how good casting gets you halfway to character. Wife perfect. Pilot wonderful.

Don't see it if You dont like mugging, some gross gestures, lip smacking, dry humping couches, wild eyes.

Also But this is what you signed up for in this play. It is a specific taste. I could recognize the humor but had no interest in it. But its well done. Many in the audience looked as if they were mesmerized by a sometimes repulsive "train wreck". But few left. I didn't, tho I was really happy when it was over. I was curious---I do remember liking Slaughterhouse 5.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a biting commentary on toxic masculinity and its misogynistic and racist violence.

Don't see it if you want to miss yet another lights-out, balls-to-the-wall turn by Jason O’Connell. The New York stage is immeasurably lucky to have him.

Also This work is particularly relevant in our current political climate.

See it if a fan of absurdist works, Kurt Vonnegut, or actor Jason O’Connell--who absolutely steals this show; if you don't mind brutality & sexuality.

Don't see it if you need drama to make sense at all times; don’t like absurdist or post-modern works; dislike sexuality, misogyny, violence, or dark humor.

Also Kurt Vonnegut’s Happy Birthday, Wanda June is a savage, dark satire look of a supposedly-evolved America. Chauvinism no longer has a place to wreak havoc (sexually, violently, misogynistic-ally); so, it rampages, seeking something/someone to destroy. This “toxic masculinity” comes in the form of big-game hunter / murderer Harold Ryan (Jason O’Connell). Meanwhile, Wanda June is a dead 7-year-old; through various circumstances, her birthday cake arrives on both Harold’s birthday and return home after being missing for 8 years (searching for valuable diamonds in an exotic locale). What follows is a dangerous look at death through the skewed perception of children & childish men. The writing feels dated yet relevant in turns—often uncomfortable. The romanticism of Ernest Hemingway and his True Gen is exposed for what it really is: violence, destruction, and discrimination—which all serves as a microcosm of an America that proclaims to be changed but still settled in a quagmire of cruelty.... Read more Read less

See it if you like dark funny comedy, plays that are intellectually challenging with fine acting & themes about the "nature" of men, women & society.

Don't see it if you dislike plays whose meanings are difficult to discern, have farcial elements and not "realistic" character depictions.

See it if Toxic masculinity blasting on an outdated boombox knocking and harming everything in its way. So over the top, it gets funny at points.

Don't see it if Feels less relevant since current daily news of Prez is toxic masculinity: self absorbed,childish, trigger happy, insecure &hateful,misogyny

Also Free ticket from Show Score.

See it if if you're a Vonnegut fan and are willing to go on a crazy, wild trip. I especially liked the musical interludes.

Don't see it if you have a problem with theater of the absurd and want to be grounded in reality.

See it if you enjoy satire &/or Vonnegut's writing. DEF different, not for everyone (folks left during intm). Don't miss his artwork on your way in!

Don't see it if you prefer linear plays, str8-up dramas (no farce), real characters (no fantasy scenes) & no over-the-top ad-libbing.

Also Male chauvinism reigns supreme here.

Very relevant today as it was almost 50yrs ago. There are numerous fantasy scenes, bits of excellent singing, animal sounds & masked depictions, plus some over-the-top acting. If you know this going in & you're cool w/it, you'll enjoy the show.

Big Jason O'Connell fan. Loved him in 'Saintliness of Margery Kempe'. Not here. The ad-libbing was obnoxious, superfluous & self-indulgent, strongly fed by the audience's reaction & encouragement.

Kate MacCluggage ("Penelope" live & "Mildred" spirit) is excellent, especially as the strong-willed & current live wife. Couldn't get enough of Craig Divino ("Col Harper"). Hysterical. Both are worth the price of admission.

Didn't find the show long. It's very entertaining & takes you to places you never expect (unless you know the story &/or Vonnegut). It's gripping, & holds your attention w/all of its twists & turns.

As I mentioned above, don't miss Vonnegut's interesting artwork on your way in. I almost did.... Read more Read less

See it if Stage set-fun/exciting Acting-top notch Dialogue-some funny/ brilliant/ nutsy Story line-confusing All pieces wonderful, how do they fit

Don't see it if You need a straight story line, are uninterested in another take on male/female relations and systems.

See it if you like the fourth wall broken, like quirky characters​ and historical time frames-and curious outside the box staging and zingy politics.

Don't see it if don't like a show carried by one actor--can't stand too much bombast, uneven performances and long drawn out plots.

See it if You are up for a brilliant, but very tough play depicting just how cruel a man can be. Vonnegut was a masterful writer.

Don't see it if Searing drama is not your thing.

See it if You absolutely love Vonnegut and don’t care about lack of pacing, lack of theatrical narrative and characters that are cartoonish

Don't see it if You are easily offended or care about issues of toxic masculinity and it’s effect on the world bit want it expressed theatrically

See it if you want to be truly entertained. It's about a dad returning after missing for years and the afterlife - all of which has comical effects

Don't see it if you're looking for a more traditional comedy

See it if you like bizarre but relevant plays, you want to see the Wheelhouse Company ensemble work together, you like non-stop action

Don't see it if you don't like Vonegut's work; you don't like plays that carry a message; you only like happily ever after plays

See it if you like surreal, absurdist theatre. Beautifully designed staged. Relevant discussion of gender roles acted beautifully by all but male lead

Don't see it if you are easily offended by language or raunchiness. If you don't like off-beat, incongruous, surreal scripts. But it is worth the effort.

See it if you enjoy over the top comedy, with an important message, that makes you think.

Don't see it if you want to see a straight drama about important subjects.