Richland Players’ production of ‘Happy Birthday, Wanda June’ opens this week

It’s a hard play to describe.

It’s about a war hero who returns home after being presumed dead. And about the family he left behind. And the new people in their lives.

And a little girl who had an unfortunate tangle with an ice cream truck.

And there are ghosts.

And it’s a comedy, albeit a dark one.

“It makes you think,” said James Callaghan, who’s directing Richland Player’s production of Happy Birthday, Wanda June.

“It’s funny,” he said. “And I hope you walk out thinking (about the themes and questions).”

The play opensThursday. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Aug. 3-5, with 2 p.m. shows Sunday and Aug. 6.

Penned by Kurt Vonnegut, author of the classic novel Slaughterhouse-Five, the play inspired a 1971 film of the same name.

The Players’ production is believed to be the only staging of the play anywhere in the world right now.

Will Thurston is the producer. The cast includes Robert Chisholm, Kyla Haren, Cyndi Kimmel, Joe Kimmel, Jerry Allen Bush, Jewel Bressler, Christy Humann, Gary Cook and Michael Stephen Thomas.

Callaghan said the actors are excellent and audiences are in for a fun and interesting time.

Thurston introduced him to the play, and Players leaders embraced the idea of taking it on, Callaghan said.

It’s a bit edgier than some of the company’s typical fare, he said, with adult language and content.

But it’s engaging and comedic and something special, he said.

“It’s been a great experience,” Callaghan said.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and military. They’re available at richlandplayers.org, by calling 509-943-1991 and at the box office.

This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Richland Players’ production of ‘Happy Birthday, Wanda June’ opens this week."