Review: The Birds : A Whimsical, Wise, Wonderfully Portable Triumph

Review by TJ Heck, Read here: https://flintstages.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/the-birds-a-whimsical-wise-wonderfully-portable-triumph/

Flint Repertory Theatre’s traveling production of The Birds by Aristophanes is nothing short of a theatrical delight—nimble, imaginative, and bursting with life. This production is designed to fly into unconventional spaces—schools, libraries, community rooms—and transform them into miniature worlds of myth, humor, and insight. I had the joy of seeing it inside the Flint Public Library, where the intimate room setup brought the cast within arm’s reach of the audience. I even took my kids out of school specifically to experience the show, and one of them declared it “the best live performance they had ever seen.” That sentiment alone captures the magic at work here.

The performance space was simple yet evocative: a small playing area bordered by a fence, scattered benches, and tipped-over items that suggested both disorder and possibility. Bits of faux trash completed the tableau, hinting at a world in flux—somewhere between the familiar and the fantastical.

The show begins with the full ensemble stepping forward to orient the audience, offering a warm, humorous preview of the plot. The emphasis on clarity, inclusion, and active engagement set the tone perfectly. Audience participation was not only welcomed but woven into the performance in clever and joyful ways—inviting everyone, children and adults alike, into the beating heart of the story.

The two central characters soon embark on their journey, leaving a turbulent Athens where political upheaval, taxes, and civic frustration have become too much to bear. The modern resonance of these themes landed with knowing laughter. Guided by playful bird puppets, they wander into a world of feathered personalities, each one brought to life with style, humor, and precision.

A standout triumph of the production is the costuming by Kendra Babcock. With each actor portraying multiple characters—sometimes flipping identities in seconds—the costumes had to be both instantly recognizable and swiftly changeable. Babcock’s work was nothing short of brilliant. Each transformation felt purposeful, choreographed, and wonderfully clever, making it easy for even young audience members to track each character.

The cast excelled in embodying this kaleidoscope of roles. Craig Ester shone as Hercules and the woodpecker, delivering two wildly different characters with charisma and comic edge. Kira Mailey-Parker was another standout, playing the penguin and flamingo with delightful theatricality and bringing a dash of charm to the role of Prometheus. Emily Nichter mesmerized as both the owl and the Oracle, giving each character a strikingly distinct presence that showcased her impressive versatility. And Kori Fay, as Euelpides, infused the role with warmth, humor, and impeccable timing, anchoring the audience’s connection to the story’s emotional throughline.

Much of the script was adapted and shaped by Flint Rep’s interim artistic director, Nicole Samsel, who has succeeded brilliantly in bringing this ancient comedy into the 21st century. Her writing keeps the spirit of Aristophanes alive while offering modern audiences a fresh lens—balancing satire, sincerity, and silliness in a way that is accessible to all ages.

This production felt, in many ways, like a Pixar film brought to life: laugh-out-loud funny, emotionally warm, layered with winks for adults and moments of pure delight for younger viewers. While the target audience may be high school students, the show truly has something to offer everyone—from third graders to grandparents.

To watch a 2,400-year-old satire soar in a public library on a weekday afternoon is a testament not only to the brilliance of the cast and crew but to Flint Repertory Theatre’s commitment to bringing transformative art directly into communities. The Birds is not just a play—it is an experience that invites reflection, imagination, and shared joy.

And here is the truth: this is a show that deserves to be seen everywhere. From high schools to community theaters, from small libraries to multipurpose rooms, The Birds thrives in any intimate space—and it leaves audiences buzzing with energy and inspiration.

Flint Rep will begin the second leg of this tour in February 2026, and now is the moment for schools, community centers, and local arts organizations to book this production. To miss the opportunity is to miss a rare chance to bring accessible, joyful, thematically rich theatre directly to your community—performed by an ensemble that proves portability does not diminish artistry.

Book it, host it, bring it in—your students, your audiences, and your community will thank you. To request a performance at your school or facility, contact Aiesha Lewis at alewis@thefim.org.Or for more information about the production and upcoming touring locations go to https://thefim.org/community-programs/education-performances/repthebirds/