by Cari Lynn Pace

Where do playwrights come up with the ideas for such laughable plots?

Featherbaby, David Templeton’s latest play, features a young woman and her foul-mouthed and aggressively possessive parrot, a bird who schemes to separate its owner from her suitors. Just imagine Spreckels Theatre Company having a casting call to audition actors for the role of a jealous parrot.

Fortunately, not one but two highly-credentialled actors were chosen for the dual-cast role. The performance I attended featured Matthew Cadigan, dressed in a resplendent jungle-green suit and yellow feather bow tie. Cadigan took his role channeling a parrot to heart. His comedic facial expressions and physical energy had the audience in stitches. I expect that Gina Alvarado has equal talents and delights the audience when she alternates performances with Cadigan.

We first learn how Featherbaby came from the tropical jungle to this present apartment. Featherbaby’s owner, Angie, is a working gal who has recently broken up with her former roommate and girlfriend. The parrot now provides her only companionship. Mercedes Murphy imbues her role of Angie with a hopeful outlook when she brings home a new friend, Mason. Featherbaby takes an instant dislike to Mason, and the hostility is returned.

Nate Musser portrays Mason as a bit reserved, using a big smile to hide a lack of confidence. Mason is at first hapless to stand up to a bird who bites, and he’s uncertain about Angie’s recent breakup with her ex-girlfriend. He and Angie eventually bond over a positive outlook for the future and all starts to look more certain. But the plot doesn’t end there.

The simple yet jazzy living room set designed by Eddie Hansen works well in the Bette Condiotti 99-seat surround stage. Director Skylar Evans keeps the action focused and moving briskly around the theatre. The audience is drawn into the action and fun each time Featherbaby coaxes the audience to boost the bird’s ego.

The production is funny, heartfelt, and delightfully clever… a hallmark of Templeton’s plays.

Catch Featherbaby before it flies away.

Playing now through September 14, 2025 at the Bette Condiotti Theatre in the Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park

Information and tickets at spreckelsonline.com

Photos by Jeff Thomas

Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers.