If you like hollering with laughter, then you must make plans to see “Eureka Day,” playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (W. 47th Street). This clever, funny new work written by Jonathan Spector tells the story of Eureka Day, a private elementary school in California that deals with rethinking their vaccination policy when students start coming down with the mumps.
Spector shows the issue from both sides of the table, and he does it in very engaging ways.
The audience is introduced to the school’s board of directors, who have always strived for policies that make everyone comfortable. Now, faced with telling parents there is an outbreak of mumps and holding a virtual meeting to talk about it, and what that could entail for the students, temperatures rise high as anti-vaxxer parents and parents who believe in vaccinating their children go head-to-head via Zoom. As the board debates the issue (the five members have their own views about the issue and find themselves in conflict over vaccinations and other issues), the parents’ back-and-forth conversations escalate to arguments, then to insults, and are truly hilarious to behold.
Related: Camille A. Brown declares ‘I AM’ at the Joyce Theater
This cast is superb and their interactions will have you bent over laughing. Carina, poignantly played by Amber Gray, is the only Black parent on the board and is new to the board. While her character starts off very reserved, she develops into someone quite formidable.
Suzanne, powerfully and passionately performed by Jessica Hecht, is an older white woman who has been on the board for many years, is set in her ways and ignorantly judges others, especially Carina.
Don, the leader of the board, is hilariously played by Bill Irwin. Irwin always has such a way with a role and knows how to be funny, awkward, and rational. He is quite a versatile actor, no matter what role he plays. Don is the reasonable person in the group, who tries to keep peace between the board members and the other parents.
Meiko, captivatingly portrayed by Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz. is a mother who has more on her mind than her young daughter — frankly, she’s interested in Eli, amusingly portrayed by Thomas Middleditch, a married man with a son he brings over to Meiko for “play dates.”
The cast also includes Eboni Flowers as Winter.
Spector delivers a topnotch script and this production is performed by an excellent cast who deliver every facial expression, every emotion, every tone. They will get you so invested in the debate that you will find yourself wanting to chime in as you sit in the audience.
In addition to the precisely timed lines and interactions in this production, there is excellent direction by Anna Shapiro.
“Eureka Day” is irresistible. It’s funny, addresses a timely topic about which we all have an opinion, and presents its topic fairly and rationally. “Eureka Day” demonstrates the quality of work that is produced by Manhattan Theatre Club.
The first thing about this production that will catch your eye is the detailed scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, but every technical aspect of this play is engaging, including costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen, and projection design by David Bengali.
If you want to go to Broadway and laugh until you cry, “Eureka Day” is your play. For tickets, visit www.manhattantheatreclub.com.