Booked & Scene

Featherbaby is a co-world premiere from playwright David Templeton, staged as part of Greater Boston Stage Company’s Don Fulton New Works Project. As director Weylin Symes notes in the program, the play uses a “bawdy egotistical trash-talking parrot to explore human relationships in an incredibly funny and surprisingly touching way.” That parrot is Featherbaby, the show’s narrator and star, who takes the audience on a wild, puzzle-filled journey through the ups and downs of life with their human roommates.

Top of the Pecking Order

Paul Melendy is a revelation as Featherbaby. Onstage for the entire show, they slip so fully into the role that the audience has no trouble believing they’re watching an Amazonian parrot tell their life story. Without feathers, wings, or costume tricks, Melendy builds the bird entirely out of physicality, quick wit, and sheer presence. Their improv, audience banter, and spontaneous riffing are sublime: sharp enough to draw big laughs, yet flexible enough to stay grounded in the story. By the time the play shifts into its more tender moments in Act Two, it’s clear this role was made for them.

The Unfeathered

Featherbaby’s humans, Angie (Liv Dumaine) and Mason (Gabriel Graetz), add a different texture to the play. Both actors strike a balance between caricature and relatability, embodying the way humans might look from a parrot’s perspective: awkward, endearing, occasionally exasperating. They move seamlessly between comic awkwardness and genuine connection, often freezing in perfect suspension as Featherbaby interrupts or comments on their behavior. Dumaine and Graetz bring both warmth and edge, elevating their roles and giving Featherbaby’s commentary a rich backdrop to bounce against.

Rufflin’ the Right Feathers 

The production design deserves its own ovation. Scenic designer Katy Monthei has created a set that feels alive: full, imaginative, and wonderfully detailed from every angle. Sound designer Mackenzie Adamick adds a bright layer with well-timed musical choices that punctuate scenes with humor and heart. Director Weylon Symes keeps the pacing snappy onstage, balancing the scripted beats with room for Melendy’s improvisation to shine. That interplay, structured direction with flashes of unpredictability, makes the night feel both polished and electric.

Pecking at the Flaws 

While the show rarely drags, some of the story beats felt uneven. Certain moments stretched longer than necessary, while others zipped past without enough explanation for the characters’ choices—particularly Angie’s, which at times felt out of step with believable pet-owner behavior. A handful of jokes overstayed their welcome (yes, the poop gag got beaten to death). And the ending, while heartfelt, felt rushed: Featherbaby’s final monologue wraps decades into a few sentences, leaving the conclusion feeling more abrupt than earned.

The Whole Flockin’ Picture 

Among the new works staged around Boston in recent years, Featherbaby stands out. With its inventive set, strong supporting performances, and Melendy’s comedic brilliance, the play balances absurdity with warmth. It’s equal parts riotous comedy and tender reflection, proving that even a foul-mouthed parrot can offer wisdom on what it means to live with and love one another. Slight bumps aside, Featherbaby feels like a play with wings and a bright future as a comedic gem with a heart full of feathers. Featherbaby runs through September 28.

📸: Nile Scott Studios