Bump
About the show
Ensemble Studio Theatre presents a new play which follows three different stories of three separate quests for knowledge, all revolving around pregnancy and childbirth. More…
A girl in colonial New England, expectant mothers on a pregnancy message board, and a mechanic about to become a grandfather all attempt to discover more about the miracle of childbirth.
"The play is entertaining to its core, and while it would be great for moms, future moms, pregnant women, girlfriends, it is funny enough to please a general audience...Birth is miraculous, and this show is a wonderful reminder of the astounding capabilities of the human body, as well as the ingenuity of the human mind. 'Bump' is fresh and funny—at times ‘laugh out loud’ funny...It is well worth seeing, and Chiara Atik is one to put on your radar." Full Review
“As entertaining as it is informative...Takes a completely unexpected and delightful turn...The three alternating threads in 'Bump' allow for smooth transitions, and Director Claudia Weill makes the most of the small stage...The acting is all fine, none finer than Gilbert Cruz as Luis, who is at first hilariously clueless but winds up being the most clued-in...‘Bump’ provides some laughs and some welcome enlightenment even to theatergoers who may be more clueless than Luis was." Full Review
“Atik’s insightful, inventive and entertaining comedy about pregnancy...Atik complements her engaging contemporary scenario with creative theatricality...The totality of plot threads makes for a charming and engrossing take on the subject due to Atik’s highly skillful writing that combines an imaginative structure with snappy dialogue...Sparkling performances and lively pacing...Does have a measure of grim reality to prevent it from becoming treacle.” Full Review
“The entire cast has good chemistry that seems to be the product of genuine stage bonding...There's a genuine warmth emanating from these actors...There's plenty of humor bubbling up in 'Bump'...What makes this play hum is its realism, as well as the infectious humor and vibrant characters...'Bump' will hit home with women who are or have been expectant mothers, as well as science buffs.” Full Review
"The play is part family drama...The play is also part historical drama...DeVito’s hysteria colliding with O’Hara’s sangfroid is the source of many hearty laughs. And the play is a meditation on pregnancy...Although every pregnancy is different, even those of the same woman, most mothers will recognize themselves somewhere in the story. And the playwright’s gentle humor should make most women unashamed of even their most outlandish behavior." Full Review
"Atik's surprisingly entertaining, if…bumpy new comedy about childbirth…Under Weill's sprightly direction, the tone is consistently light and upbeat…Perhaps feeling a need to plump out her story, Atik introduces an unnecessary parallel plot…'Bump' benefits from a uniformly qualified cast…One could…question why 'Bump' dramatizes the invention of a technical breakthrough by creating fictional characters and not…somehow crediting the actual Argentinian who invented the device." Full Review
“Unfortunately, not quite ready to be born as of yet...Has some charming moments and, if given some more time to develop fully, a promising future. It has a professional, thoughtful cast...But the structure and the layering of ideas still needs gestating...Some more work on this fine pregnancy is required before it is brought forth, possibly needing a great dramaturge to help nurture this baby in the womb, giving it a logical formation." Full Review
“Isn’t much of a play. It’s part sketch comedy and part advertorial, with some historical fiction tossed in, too. The structure’s a mess, the characters are whisper thin. The word 'uterus' is uttered nine times. But if you are pregnant, if you have been pregnant, if you have resulted from a pregnancy, you will probably find it very funny...The tone is keen, but not sharp. It’s sweet, yet not syrupy. Under Weill’s direction, it’s all performed with zest and empathy.” Full Review
"In only 90 minutes we dash from bit to bit without enough collective resonance. Nevertheless, the inventive staging by Claudia Weill and warm performances by the ensemble give us some moments to cheer for...The scientific and mechanical while curious are not as gripping as the relational...'Bump' doesn’t show us a whole lot we don’t already know. But we do get to meet a community of women and can celebrate in their joy and mourn for their losses as they make this journey." Full Review
“'Bump' deals well enough with the science side of things, making an accessible and entertaining story out of a medical innovation. However, without an emotional arc to supplement, all you have is an amusing anecdote — not a fully developed play...A sometimes funny but ultimately toothless story. Atik beefs up the play with two adjacent story lines." Full Review
“Only runs ninety minutes, but it gets winded long before reaching the finish line...So little happens in 'Bump,' I hesitate to even call it a play...I'll say this for the colonial subplot: At least it distracts from the obvious fact that 'Bump' is little more than a collection of stray observations...It has been some time since I have encountered a play founded on such a rickety dramatic foundation...At least Weill, who directed, assembled an affable cast.” Full Review
See it if You want to see a play that revolves around pregnancy and childbirth that is done in a very funny informative way. You want to laugh.
Don't see it if You are not interested in the subject of pregnancy and childbirth. You don't want to laugh. You don't want to have a great time at a play.
Also I loved this play. I was so thoroughly entertained. I enjoyed everyone... Read more Read less
See it if You like the fine acting and production values that EST continues to deliver.
Don't see it if You think plays about war are universal and plays about motherhood are for women.
See it if you can joke about the way life began for us all. Women can identify, men can commiserate and then they can all have a good laugh together.
Don't see it if you can't enjoy a little down to earth humor, or are looking for a big, swanky venue.
See it if you love to laugh and you like amazing actors. It is an informative short play that is lots of fun.
Don't see it if you want a lot of substance.
See it if you are curious about Pregnancy.
Don't see it if If you are uncomfortable with the female body and babies
See it if you would enjoy a refreshing comedy about pregnancy and childbirth. Light, but very well done!
Don't see it if you're looking for serious drama or a lavish production. This show works because of terrific actors!
See it if women-centered storytelling is a plus. Funny, observational writing with a great, large ensemble for such a production. A joy.
Don't see it if are squeemish about reproductive talk, potential triggers for pple who have had miscarriages.
See it if You want to see a comedy that explores childbirth.
Don't see it if Does about childbirth or women don't interest you.
See it if you enjoy discovering new plays. You are interested in the science of birth.
Don't see it if You are not interested in pregnancy/women's issues. You don't like new plays.
See it if You can appreciate a short play with funny lines and excellent acting. The father and inventor could easily have overacted, but didn't.
Don't see it if You want to see a big Broadway musical.
See it if although it's no joke, you like funny ways of dealing with pregnancy and childbirth. Staging was creative and all actors played really well.
Don't see it if you want a story-line or some deep thoughts about pregenancy.
See it if you would enjoy a humorous look at pregnancy and childbirth, how so much has changed over the years and yet remains somehow the same.
Don't see it if if you have no interest in pregnancy/childbirth or find this subject uncomfortable; you are looking for a Broadway style show.
See it if You like light comedic skits about reality
Don't see it if You enjoy funny suits on a common subject
See it if You like comedic takes on real life issues. In this case pregnancy.
Don't see it if You like tradional plays.
See it if you eant a nice evening of a well acted take on pregnancy
Don't see it if you're looking for something heavy
See it if Three pregnancy related stories unfold interspersed with Youtube demos and chats.
Don't see it if You want a serious discussion of pregnancy and childbirth rather than briefly touching many subjects and including a fanciful invention.
See it if you don't mind a slight play. The actors were charming and the evening was enjoyable but it seems more like an early draft.
Don't see it if are looking for a substantial piece of theatre.
See it if Wonderful performances by all in cast. Clever staging.
Don't see it if Script that is too contrived in order to match actual events.
See it if You want to learn more about birth than you probably ever would have or an incredibly warm story.
Don't see it if You want something that leaves you on the edge of your seat.
See it if You like comedy and want to have a good laugh. The play is about pregnancy & childbirth. 3 pregnancy stories are told from different era.
Don't see it if You are not interested about pregnancy stories, or if you do not like small venue setting.It is heartwarming stories are genuine and so real
See it if you like a lighthearted "take" on pregnancy tribulations that is pleasant, fun to watch and well performed and presented.
Don't see it if you favor a serious treatment of woman's pregnancy issues that provides insights and in-depth character development.
See it if If you're into the mechanics of childbirth, this is for you
Don't see it if You're not interested in the mechanics of childbirth and don't want to see an ad for a medical device to help labor.
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