Bill is thrilled. His friends are coming over soon to celebrate his birthday. He’s got all the accessories: the cups, the cake, and the booze--plenty of booze. But after playfully dancing around his apartment and setting the scene, he awaits the guests. Staring at his red wristwatch, time passes. No one enters.
In 55 minutes, we discover his alternative plans in Bill’s 44th, a completely original and clever puppet show currently running at HERE. The piece is a creation of Brooklyn based puppeteers Dorothy James and Andy Manjuck who have been developing the show since 2016.
Then, it was just a 5-minute scene. Now, it is a full hour, complete with animated balloons, terrorizing demons and giddy vegetables. All of them exist in Bill’s imagination, thanks largely to the strong punch.
With bushy eyebrows, a moustache and a bald head connected to a sweater-clad torso, Bill’s limbs are manipulated by James and Manjuck who masterfully and precisely bring Bill to life. Jon Riddleberger rounds out this trio as a dancing carrot. Surreal, but “stick” with it and you’ll be pleasantly entertained. At the curtain call, the puppeteers were drenched in sweat, evidence of the physically demanding work that the show requires.
Both transfixing and endearing, it’s hard not to fall in love with this relatable everyman. Even in a city of nearly 8 million people, all of us have, at some points, felt insecure, isolated and lonely—even if we are fulfilled by a circle of friends. Still, there is simple joy and contentment to be found within ourselves if we tweak the negative self-narrative. This seems to be the lesson of Bill’s 44th.
There is no dialogue, but Eamon Fogarty’s retro-80s original score keeps this slice of life bouncing along. There are plenty of surprises and laugh out loud moments that make it a perfectly well-executed and sophisticated party well worth attending.
Bill's 44th is now playing at HERE (145 6th Avenue NYC) through July 28th.) For tickets and information, visit https://here.org/shows/bills-44th
Watch a trailer for Bill’s 44th at https://vimeo.com/589442326
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