(Cover Photo: Paul Melendy stars as "FEATHERBABY" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through September 28, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724   

"Poop!" 

                                       - ("Featherbaby") /  David Templeton

Greater Boston Stage Company  

Presents David Templeton's

"FEATHERBABY"

Written by David Templeton

Directed by Weylin Symes^

Cast Includes: Paul Melendy as "Featherbaby," Liv Dumaine* as “Angie,” Gabriel Graetz* as “Mason,” Chris Kandra as “u/s Featherbaby, Mason.”

Additional Creative Team: 

Scenic Designer - Katy Monthei; Lighting Designer - Matt Cost; Costume Designer - Deirdre Gerrard; Sound Designer - Mackenzie Adamick+; Properties Master - Hazel Peters; Production Stage Manager - Marsha Smith*; Production Manager - Meghan Ward; Production Assistants - E.D. Fitzgerald, Addie Pates; Scenic Builder - Misfit Toys Theatrical; Scenic Charge - Kate Bell; Movement Consultant - Ceit Zweil.

*Member of Actor’s Equity Association

^Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

+Member of United Scenic Artists

Performances:

September 12, 2025 through September 28, 2025

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY, 395 Main Street Stoneham, MA. 02180 

TICKETS:

Box Office Hours: Mondays – Fridays, noon to 6pm 

Box Office # 781-279-2200 

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

(Warning: The following review may contain spoilers)

Greater Boston Stage Company (GBSC) soars into fall with a flight of fancy comedy that is sure to tickle every feathered a non-feathered funny bone with  "FEATHERBABY." 

David Templeton’s brand-new comedy "FEATHERBABY" lands in Stoneham at GBSC with an outlandish premise, an amazing set, and a lot of laughs. 

GBSC Director Weylin Symes takes full advantage of the premise, resulting in a lavish comedy which begins from a source of mutual contention and conflict to a place of mutual compassion and trust.

(Photo:  Liv Dumaine as “Angie,”  Paul Melendy as "Featherbaby" and Gabriel Graetz as “Mason”  in a scene from "FEATHERBABY" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through September 28, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

This is a play told via the POV of  "FEATHERBABY" (Paul Melendy) - a raucous, riotous and completely raunchy Amazon parrot. 

Melendy’s performance as  "FEATHERBABY" is not only brilliantly hilarious, but if you are a parrot owner or bird owner in general, he will actually have you convinced the actor is, indeed, this fowl creature. 

There are “bird mannerisms” which Melendy leans into which are astonishingly accurate. 

Above all else, "FEATHERBABY" is crude, rude and completely obnoxious…and audiences will just adore this over-the-top performance. 

(Photo: Liv Dumaine as “Angie” with Paul Melendy as "FEATHERBABY" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through September 28, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

 "FEATHERBABY" guides us through the story as they narrate, manipulate, and disrupts the lives of those around them. 

By the way – you may have just noticed I used the pronouns “They/Them” – there’s a reason for it and it has nothing to do with the actor… but, come to think of it, when was the last time you checked the sex of YOUR pet bird?  

"FEATHERBABY" loves current “parrot parent” Angie (Liv Dumaine), an idiosyncratic competitive splatter-scene puzzle enthusiast (did you know there are professional-level “puzzling” competitions? I didn’t) who brings into her life Mason (Gabriel Graetz), an attorney, a kindred puzzle enthusiast and competitor. 

The two hit it off instantly, even though Angie is just coming off a recently ended relationship. 

Dumaine and Graetz have terrific chemistry as the puzzle-happy pair but, however as good as the pieces seem to fit for this couple…"FEATHERBABY" makes it clear that they do NOT approve. 

(Photo: Liv Dumaine as “Angie,”  Paul Melendy as "Featherbaby" and Gabriel Graetz as “Mason”  in a scene from "FEATHERBABY" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through September 28, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

Being Angie’s focus of attention for so long,  "FEATHERBABY" is territorial towards her and takes it out on Mason, biting and mocking at every opportunity. 

These are among the funniest moments of the GBSC play as it quickly becomes a contest of who of the two will “win” Angie’s undying love. 

Turns out…(spoiler alert)…they both lose. 

In an unexpected turn of events, Angie departs for a long period of time and, while she promises to return, she asks Mason to care for her “Baby” bird in her absence to which he, reluctantly, agrees. 

This is where the show becomes less about the adversarial nature and mutual animosity shared between this man and his unwanted bird (and said bird against their unwanted new keeper), but more about the pair overcoming the obstacles that set animosity and adversity between them. 

(Photo: Gabriel Graetz as “Mason” with Paul Melendy as "FEATHERBABY" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through September 28, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

Templeton’s story of  "FEATHERBABY" deals with the above and, as contentious or harsh as things may become, Templeton never makes any of the three characters out to be unlikeable or a villain. 

Graetz provides a thoughtful, empathetic look at Mason, reminding us of how many folks ("feathered or un-feathered") have probably found themselves in a situation that began as unwanted yet wound up becoming something far more…unexpected.   

Dumaine seems equally in tune with the conflicted character of Angie, who adores the two most important in her life that she has had to leave for her own personal reasons.   

Melendy as  "FEATHERBABY" is both captivating and relentless. 

If the above weren’t enough reason to see this show, the single set design at Greater Boston Stage Company has provided a stunningly beautiful environment for which this world takes place - incorporating puzzle pieces, images of where the story takes place and immersing it all within a tropical jungle atmosphere. 

(Photo: Paul Melendy stars as "FEATHERBABY" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through September 28, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

"FEATHERBABY" is only in Stoneham at GBSC until September 28^th, 2025. So, make sure to catch this bird before it takes flight to other parts unknown. 

Coming up next for Greater Boston Stage Company will be "MURDER FOR TWO" by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, beginning October 24^th and running through November 9^th, 2025.

For tickets, contact the Box Office at # 781-279-2200 or at boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

BUY TICKETS

Approximately one hour, 40 minutes with one intermission.  

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews  

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Co-World Premiere – Don Fulton New Works Project

Paul Melendy stars as "FEATHERBABY," an Amazon parrot (yes, you read that right), in this brand-new, ridiculous, and heartfelt comedy about a man and his arch-nemesis pet bird. 

But be warned - "FEATHERBABY" has a potty mouth! 

This uproarious and touching tale explores the unlikely bond between a man and his foul-mouthed, feathered companion. 

Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

ABOUT GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY 

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY (GBSC) brings vibrant professional theatre and dramatic education beyond the boundaries of Boston, featuring world and regional premieres alongside fresh interpretations of familiar work. Within this setting, GBSC uniquely fosters the artists of tomorrow by providing ongoing performance and employment opportunities to a company of current and former students. Located in Stoneham, MA. GBSC produces five Mainstage shows, presents a series of Special Events, and runs year-round classes, lessons, and fully staged productions through The Young Company for students in grades 1–12.

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY 

395 Main Street 

Stoneham, MA. 02180 

# 781-279-2200

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

greaterbostonstage.org