The Birthday Party

Petey, Meg and their long-time tenant Stanley live comfortably, if without particular flair, in a seaside boarding house in England. But their humdrum daily routine of cornflakes, newspapers and naps comes to a sudden end when two mysterious men appear, bringing with them menace, mystery and one overwhelming question: What exactly are they searching for? When the group gathers together to celebrate Stanley’s birthday, alliances are re-drawn, scandals are revealed and all are left teetering on a precipice.

Director and ensemble member Austin Pendleton and scenic designer Walt Spangler have created an exciting new set for The Birthday Party, which involves bringing the audience closer to the story–literally. They’re reconfigured the Upstairs Theatre by moving the stage to the center of the room, creating a space that allows for better acoustics and greater intimacy with the audience up front and up close to the action. No seat will be more than eight rows from the stage. This artist-generated design allows for elements of fun and surprise that should make for a compelling and exciting play-going experience.