Happy Birthday Wanda June is introduced as a “simple-minded play” by Penelope Ryan (played by Joanna Springer). Yet from the African-influenced scenery to the complex issues in the plot, this three-act play is anything but simple. Happy Birthday Wanda June is written by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. who is renowned for his novels Slaughterhouse-Five and Cat’s Cradle among others. It was written as a reaction to events from 35 years ago such as Vietnam War and the Equal Rights movement.
Within this play, there are several intertwined themes. Stacy Johnson, a student, describes this play as one that “transcends through time and shows the change in the social mentality of egotistical men, ‘dependent’ women, and self-seeking wanderers.” Through black comedy and witty dialogue, issues of death, love, war, and all other aspects of life are addressed. Ultimately, Happy Birthday Wanda June causes the viewers to analyze their own beliefs of life and appreciate how far this nation has come from the inequalities of the first half of the 20th century.
One would expect Wanda June to be the main character, however, the first spot lights are focused on; Penelope Ryan, played by Springer, Harold Ryan, played by Steven Banis; Dr. Norbert Woodly, played by Michael Ragusa; and stuttering Colonel Looseleaf Harper, played by Johnny Pettengill. With these and other “simple” characters, the play is set in the Ryans’ New York apartment and heaven for two days among the negative view of war and support of peace filling the generation of the 1970s. Harold and side-kick Colonel Harper are considered dead in the Amazon rainforest. Yet after eight years of absence, Harold comes back to his wife, Penelope, and a world that is changing. In the eight years her husband was gone, Penelope obtained a master’s degree and her knowledge gives her more courage and independence from the men in her life.
Still wondering who Wanda June is? Wanda June is the name on a cake that is given to the Ryans. Later, it is discovered that Wanda June has actually been hit by an ice cream truck. Wanda June—played by Kimberly Hansen—is happily in heaven playing shuffle board with people like Yugoslavian “Beast” Siegfried von Konigswald.
Tommy Swimm did an excellent job chewing away at those fig newtons and being the troubled boy of ten he is supposed to be. In between many controversial parts, vacuum salesmen Herb Shuttle, played by D. Duncan Pickard, and Harold’s dead third wife played by Taryn Matusik, are the comic relief that help keep this play light. Hands down, the best actor is Banis as the character Harold. He is able to laugh the hearty guffaw and stand there with a lit cigar at hand as Ryan. Without Banis, this play would not be as powerful as it is.
The settings aptly reflect the mood of the wild Ryan residence. The scenery, sounds, and lighting in addition to stuffed, dead animals and African music create the feeling of a barbaric atmosphere. The adjacent “heaven” setting with hopscotches floating around is adorable. Much detail was put into in this stage setup.
Although Saturday, September 25 was the last show, this play deserves more than a picture in The Poly. Sophomore Archana Siddalingappa describes Happy Birthday Wanda June as “one of the most meaningful plays I have ever seen! It not only shows us what motivates some men to act so brutal[ly] and heinous[ly] when it comes to women, but also that underneath it all, everyone of us have this sensitive edge that once exposed, will allow us to become the real us, which [with] self-respect and dignity.”
