“Happy Days”

[rating=3] I must tell you upfront that if you buy a ticket to see “Happy Days”, now on the stage at City Lit Theater ( but a presentation of KB Productions), you need to know that this has nothing to do with the television series “Happy Days” or the momentous song “Happy Days Are Here Again!”. Knowing that this play was written by Samuel Beckett should help you get to that conclusion. This is not a story that everyone will enjoy. If you adore or even love “waiting For Godot”, this one will also be enticing for you.

“Happy Days” is in reality a one-woman show and in this case, Winnie is played to perfection by Kayla Boye, who recently did an Elizabeth Taylor one-person show that was magnificent. It seems she likes to work alone, but does so with great style. This play is close to two hours and except for some mumbles and grumbles from another character (taped, I believe), Ms Boye holds our attention in a spellbinding manner. Beckett’s writing is not meant to be fully understood at once. He enjoys playing with the audience which gives his story more depth and keeps the interest of those watching at work.

Rather than give out all the secrets contained within this well-directed ( Jon Dambacher) piece, I will tell you that in the first act, we can see half of  Winnie. As she speaks to us, she speaks of times that were indeed special to her and her beloved. They were the “Happy Days”. She talks to us about the items contained in the black bag on the top of the heap she is somewhat buried in. Is it garbage? Is it landfill? Is she a person or an insect?

Perhaps we are in a desert, or on another planet. Wherever it is Winnie is surrounded by garbage and items that have little or no value. The debris grows into act two burying her even more and during all this, we learn more about their past and all the wonderful and happy memories that were their lives. When you get your program, you will see the photos of insects which might lead you to feel that this is what Beckett intended. Those who know his work, know that what you see is never that which he intended. I say, sit back, watch a wonderful actress do her thing and then see what you get from the experience.

By the way, she does not dig herself out for a curtain call!

“Happy Days” will continue thru April 2nd with performances as follows:

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Tickets are $30 and MUST be purchased online at https://happydayschi.com/tickets

City Lit Theater is located at 1020 W. Bryn Mawr on the second floor ( they do have an elevator) in the Edgewater Presbyterian Church.

Meter parking is available and if you go north or south of Bryn Mawr there is some free street parking. The Red Line stop is one block west of the theater. FYI- many of the dining spots on the street are no longer there but the Edgewater Mexican Cafe at 1055 is a delightful spot for a meal, a snack or just a drink.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Happy Days”.