'Featherbaby' Takes Flight at Greater Boston Stage Company

Caw, caw! - poop - I’m a sassy parrot.

Greater Boston Stage Company welcomes audiences to Featherbaby, a show about a sassy and foul-mouthed Amazon parrot. Featherbaby’s owner, Angie, has relationship drama, changing the parrot’s living accommodations to Mason, who can’t stand the parrot.

I thought all week long about what a show titled “Featherbaby” would be about, and when the day arrived, it was a night of hysterical laughter at Greater Boston Stage Company. Featherbaby is a unique show from a parrot’s perspective that explores the nature of love and companionship.

Led by Paul Melendy’s sensational performance as Featherbaby, he bestows one of the funniest portrayals of a bird that an actor could convey. Dressed in a snazzy suit, Melendy embodies the role so convincingly. I can only imagine what his research process was like. Every tilt of the head, flutter of the arms, and squawk is only the start of Melendy’s acclaimed performance.

Recently, I saw Melendy perform in The Garbologists at Gloucester Stage Company in July. Similar to his role as a trashmouth garbageman in that show, Featherbaby takes it up to a ten. Melendy has a gift for comedy and adds subtle nuances to his performance. Just the short phrases he has, like “poop,” for example, leave audiences in hysterics.

Featherbaby is not a one-bird show. Joining Melendy are Liv Dumaine (Angie) and Gabriel Graetz (Mason). Dumaine and Graetz each do a terrific job in their roles. Angie is Featherbaby’s owner, who loves the precious bird. Throughout the play, Angie makes some interesting decisions as she leaves her bird in Mason’s care.

The animosity between Mason and Featherbaby is shared in a food pellet and puzzle piece toss challenge. It’s one of the funniest scenes in the play and really highlights the characters’ interactions. That animosity gradually transforms into companionship as they come to understand each other better. It’s a testament to how pets change us.

Director Weylin Symes said he immediately fell in love with Featherbaby when he first read the script. He did a fantastic job in his direction, allowing his actors (mainly Melendy) to drive the show and create the funniest moments ever. Symes balances comedy and heart, ensuring that the play’s absurd premise doesn’t overshadow the message.

Featherbaby doesn’t fly in the direction audiences might think. The play examines human relationships and growth from a unique perspective. Without Featherbaby’s commentary about his living accommodations, it would have been just your average show about relationships. The ending certainly wasn’t what I had in mind.

Right when you enter the auditorium, you feel like you just walked into the Amazon, with leaves and images of the jungle. Featherbaby’s ‘throne’ is extravagant. I might be looking too much into the puzzle design surrounding the stage, but to me, it means that characters are trying to connect the missing pieces.

Audiences are in for a treat. It was a pleasure to watch a new show written by David Templeton in its co-world premiere! Other than California, Featherbaby is brand new to the audience's eyes. Greater Boston Stage Company is just the beginning of this show’s journey.

Seeing the audience's reactions is my favorite part of any show, and for this one, I have contained the laughter in a special place in my memory. Audience members were going wild, cackling, and almost falling out of their seats. Melendy is having the time of his life onstage, even breaking the fourth wall with creative ad-libs. If you sneeze, Featherbaby may say ‘Bless you.’

Fair warning, Featherbaby has perverse language and is not suitable for younger audiences. I beckon you to get your tickets to see Featherbaby at Greater Boston Stage Company, playing until Sept. 28. It’s a comedy that will give you the laugh you need!