Steep Theatre’s world premiere play, Happy Days Are Here (Again) replays a familiar story (sexual abuse in the Catholic Church) and introduces a new one (a Palestinian adapting to American teen life) but doesn’t really flesh out that newer plot element. Playwright Omer Abbas Salem’s play was commissioned by Steep Theatre and the Steep team makes a valiant effort to bring it to life. The script needs work to explore Hamed's story, which is especially relevant today, and to differentiate the student characters and their own stories.
The production, directed by Azar Kazemi, features a cast of mostly newer actors, along with a few experienced performers playing the senior characters.
The play opens in 1979 at St. Boniface (pronounced the Italian way—bonna-fachay), a Chicago Catholic high school. It’s the first day of the school term. Hamed (Oliver Maalouf), a new student from Palestine, has joined the freshman class; he’s living with his uncle. (We might surmise that his parents sent him to the US to protect him, but we learn almost nothing about Hamed or his backstory.)
Another newcomer to the school is Father Brian (Gage Wallace), a priest with the ability to quote bible verses upon demand. While this was probably not in his job description, this talent seems to delight Father Patrick (Eric Lindahl), the school leader and a bit of a huckster. In the opening scene, Father Patrick begins the school year with an assembly and his welcome announcements. Mother (Patricia Donegan), a senior nun confined to a wheelchair, is present in most scenes and her occasional remarks are often amusing.
Throughout the play the school Intercom (a personality voiced by Cindy Marker) makes frequent announcements, including often ominous ones, calling a student to report “to The Rear Rectory Office. Now.“
The mostly mute Hamed (Maalouf does a credible job with his portrayal through facial expressions and almost no lines) isn’t welcomed by his classmates, who largely ignore him, and he doesn’t make an effort himself. Sister Edith (Ashlyn Lozano) tries to help him adjust and get acquainted but her efforts are overwhelmed by Father Brian’s success at completely taking over Hamed’s education and “spiritual advising.”
Sister Edith and her fellow nun, Sister Clarence (Katie Incardona), have a close relationship, but not as close as Sister Clare would like. Their brief interludes give us glimpses of two women who seem to have the welfare of their students at heart but aren’t able to overcome the smarmy attentions of Father Brian or the real and symbolic power of Father Patrick, who, as the brother of the chief of police, has been appointed chaplain for all the Cook County police precincts. (That’s known as the Chicago Way.)
The six actors who represent the rest of the student body have brief scenes in which they try to define their characters. The brevity of the scenes makes it difficult to keep the characters straight for most of the play. The students are played by John Zhou Duncan, Maya Hlava, Rich Adrian Lazatin, Carter Shimp, Yourtana Sulaiman and Jocelyn Zamudio.
Director Kazemi keeps the action moving briskly throughout the two-act play. The play’s many short scenes are punctuated with interstitial percussive music. Thomas Dixon is sound designer and music director. The minimalist set (designed by Lauren Nichols) features a lighted window suggesting stained glass at one end and Father Brian’s office at the other. Chairs and benches are moved around by the cast as needed for each scene. Lighting design is by Conchita Avitia. Emily McConnell is designer of the school uniforms and priestly garb. Olivia Sullam is stage manager.
Happy Days Are Here (Again) by Steep Theatre, continues through October 27 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes including one intermission. Find more information on tickets and performances here.
Steep Theatre is currently building out its new home at 1044 W. Berwyn Ave. in Edgewater. During this process, Steep is staging its productions at other venues.
For more information on this and other plays, see theatreinchicago.com.
Support arts and culture journalism today. This work doesn't happen without your support. Contribute today and ensure we can continue to share the latest reviews, essays, and previews of the most anticipated arts and culture events across the city.