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Edited and Published by Robert W. McDowell
May 8, 2025 Issue |
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A FREE Weekly E-mail Newsletter Covering Theater, Dance, Music, and Film in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area of North Carolina Since April 2001. |
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PART 2A: TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW BY DANI DANIELA |
RedBird Theater Company's Rendition
of Eureka Day Is Exceptional
RedBird Theater Company's May 9-24 production of Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day stars (from left) Nick Popio as Eli, Rasool
Jahan as Carina, Adam Traylor as Don, Jeri Lynn Schulke as Suzanne, and Vanessa Nowik as Meiko (photo by Alex Maness)RedBird Theater Company's production of Eureka Day, directed by Hope Hynes Love, is a testament to the power of well-crafted writing, paired with exceptional performances. Jonathan Spector's script navigates challenging themes with a deft touch, creating a space where multiple perspectives can be explored.
The cast elevates this narrative, ensuring that the intricate layers resonate deeply with the audience. One standout aspect is how the play subverts initial impressions.
Eureka Day stars Jeri Lynn Schulke (left) as Suzanne and Rasool Jahan as Carina (photo by Alex Maness)Characters such as Meiko, portrayed by Vanessa Nowik with a nuanced take on motherhood and the pressure to have it all together, bring depth to the narrative.
Adam Traylor plays Don. His line, "no arbiter of truth," encapsulates the play's core message by challenging the notion of absolute certainty in a world full of complexities.
RedBird Theater Company's May 9-24 production of Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day stars (from left) Vanessa Nowik as Meiko,
Jeri Lynn Schulke as Suzanne, Adam Traylor as Don, Nick Popio as Eli, and Rasool Jahan as Carina (photo by Alex Maness)Jeri Lynn Schulke's portrayal of Suzanne is another highlight. Suzanne might initially seem like a stereotype, but her journey reveals a deeply human side that resonates with the audience, evoking empathy and even tears.
The cast, which also includes Rasool Jahan as Carina and Nick Popio as Eli, delivers authentic portrayals that ensure that the humor never diminishes the depth of the script. Instead, it complements it, allowing the audience to experience a full range of emotions.
RedBird Theater Company's May 9-24 production of Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day stars (from left)
Vanessa Nowik as Meiko, Rasool Jahan as Carina, and Adam Traylor as Don (photo by Alex Maness)The chaotic yet authentic scene of the virtual community meeting stands out as a moment of sheer brilliance. The actors never break character, drawing the audience into a scene that feels almost immersive. This moment captures the essence of our current digital and social complexities, making the audience feel both the humor and the poignancy of the moment.
The intimacy direction by Veronica Dress ensures that the connections between characters feel genuine and relatable, enhancing the audience's sense of intimacy with the story and its themes. This thoughtful balance of humor and sincerity invites the audience to engage deeply, seeing these characters in a new light.
As the final curtain falls, RedBird Theater Company leaves its mark with this exceptional rendition of Eureka Day. Don't miss their upcoming performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 16th and 17th, at the Whitted Human Services Building in Hillsborough and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24th, in the Ox Theater in the Oxford City Hall in Oxford.
RedBird Theater Company's production of Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day stars (from left) Adam Traylor as Don, Vanessa
Nowik as Meiko, Jeri Lynn Schulke as Suzanne, Rasool Jahan as Carina, and Nick Popio as Eli (photo by Alex Maness)Jonathan Spector's EUREKA DAY (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 16th and 17th, in the Whitted Human Services Building in Hillsborough; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24th, in the Ox Theater in the Oxford City Hall in Oxford), directed by Hope Hynes Love and starring Rasool Jahan as Carina, Vanessa Nowik as Meiko, Nick Popio as Eli, Jeri Lynn Schulke as Suzanne, and Adam Traylor as Don (RedBird Theater Company at various locations). PRESENTER: https://www.redbirdtheatercompany.com/, https://www.facebook.com/RedBirdTheaterCo/, https://linktr.ee/redbirdtheaternc, https://www.instagram.com/redbirdtheaternc/, and https://www.youtube.com/@RedBirdTheaterCompany. EUREKA DAY (2018 Berkeley, CA; 2019 Off-Broadway; 2022 West End; and 2024 Broadway political comedy/drama): https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=6098, https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/24-25-season/eureka-day/, http://www.jonathanspector.org/eureka-day.html, https://www.spectra.theater/playhub/pl/d97dc889-c92d-59bd-b52e-72c1b04c3555, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/eureka-day-539386, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Day. JONATHAN SPECTOR (Oakland, CA-based playwright): http://www.jonathanspector.org/, https://newplayexchange.org/users/3655/jonathan-spector, and https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jonathan-spector-539387. TICKETS: $31.60 ($16.30 one-per-person Sliding Scale Ticket), plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: contact@redbirdtheatercompany.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: RedBird Theater Company.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Dani Daniela is a dynamic content creator, writer, facilitator, and podcast host whose work focuses on self-awareness, faith identity, and meaningful conversations. She blends everyday experiences with the arts to spark thoughtful dialogue and inspire personal breakthroughs. Her mission is to connect people through storytelling and creative expression, fostering community and deeper understanding. Dani is the host of EarthXperiences, a podcast in which she explores questions about faith journeys and mindset with other content creators and thought leaders, creating space for honest dialogue and fresh perspectives. She has co-written the web series Urk My Nerves and served as a contributing play reviewer for RDU on Stage. Dani is also the author of Ma, What's Investing?, a children's book promoting financial literacy, and Brown Girl All CULT Up, a personal exploration of her experiences with religion and self-discovery. Through her writing and workshops, Dani promotes self-awareness, mindfulness, and the use of thoughtful questions to help individuals explore their relationship with themselves and the ideas or people that shape their thinking. Her sessions encourage intentional decision-making and personal growth through reflective dialogue and critical inquiry. Her academic background in Family Science deeply informs her approach to both writing and facilitation. Dani has contributed to Carolina Playwrights Lab as a panelist, bringing her expertise to conversations around cultural identity, faith exploration, and the audience experience. As a proud mother of three, Dani draws inspiration from the lessons of parenthood, infusing her work with empathy and practical insight. Whether reviewing art, hosting panels, or leading workshops, Dani's goal is to inspire reflection and help people explore the intersections between creativity, faith, and everyday life. Through her mindful analysis as a reviewer, she uncovers new ways for us to connect, encouraging thoughtful engagement and deeper conversations that resonate long after the experience. Click here to read Dani Daniela's reviews for Triangle Review. |
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