
The Club
Chris Bohjalian
Five women get together for their birthdays, each with her own story, to drink, celebrate, commiserate and support each other as they negotiate through marriage, work, divorce, birth and kids, while solving the problems of the world.
Cheryl, Karen, Monica and Abbie started Birthday Club five years ago when their friend Jennifer was diagnosed with cancer, as a support group to help her get through it.
When Jennifer recently passed away, they had an opening for a new member.
However, it’s not easy to join Birthday Club.
Birthday Club is very exclusive, and there’s a three-year waiting list.
They bring in Sarah as a potential member, but first Sarah must make it through the “interview,” and agree to abide by the eight rules of Birthday Club, to be considered an official member.
One by one, they reveal their personal, work and family issues, and when one of them admits she went out with another’s husband, the vodka hits the fan.
The question is: Will Birthday Club survive, or will Rule #5 end it forever?
"Transgender people deserve to see that joy onstage. And lots of other people can share the feeling by analogy."
— The New York Times
"Plot Points turns to candid storytelling, to the vulnerable sharing of personal narrative, as perhaps our most powerful tool in finding our way toward each other."
— New York Magazine
"This is a smart, well-made play that is very much of its time, a look at the brave new world of gender nonconformity, and a reminder that, really, we’re all the same."
— New York Stage Review
"This piece is a universal tale of love; it is about working through moments of discord to find the point where the love and vulnerability connect us."
— New York Theatre Guide
| Character |
|---|
| Cheryl 50. Married, successful business owner, anal retentive, control issues. Marriage is strained. Stay-at-home husband. |
| Emily 40's. High school teacher. Divorced twice. Prolific Tinder dater. Has had lots of "work done." |
| Abbie 30's. Married. Stay-at-home wife. Easy life. Nice big house, pool, boat. |
| Kathy 40. Works in "law enforcement." Married, 4 kids. Very tough. |
| Sarah 20's. Works for Cheryl. Member of the very strict "Heemish" religion. Wholesome, innocent, naïve regarding all worldly things. |
LCT3 Production Trailer
Birthday Club is a comedy play written by Phil Olson and published by Samuel French .
No community reviews yet
Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)
Apply for RightsPlays with similar themes, style, and content.
More plays from Phil Olson that we think you'll enjoy.