Family mistakes lead to comic relief as 'Jennifer’s Birth' jumps into second weekend

BOWLING GREEN — The comedy is sure to come rolling through again as Jennifer’s Birth , a play presented by the Black Swamp Players in Bowling Green, is showing for its second weekend at the Oak Street Theater.

The Rich Orloff play centers on a middle-aged woman — Jennifer — who goes back in time to when she was born and observes her parents navigating the struggles of early adulthood. Jennifer’s Birth won the Black Swamp Players’ third annual Telling Stories playwriting competition, which focuses on producing plays that highlight social justice issues and have not received adequate production.

What : ‘Jennifer’s Birth’

Where : 115 Oak St., Bowling Green

When : Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.

Cost : Tickets start at $20

Information : www.onthestage.tickets/black-swamp-players/

“There's a lot of laughter as you watch this family bounce off of each other and adapt to the situation they're facing,” Lane Hakel, director of the play, said. “But it's also endearing. You're cheering on all of these people. There's no villain here. It's a family, but there are mistakes made, or maybe even a villainous thing done, that they have to find a way through.”

Hakel, who’s been involved in community theater for 25 years both as an actor and director, described the play as “just perfect” for the Telling Stories series of plays. He described the show as a “heart wrenching comedy,” borrowing from the playwright’s own description of the play, and appreciates the realness of the story

“Watching the audience watch the show has been amazing. Just the laughter and audience members looking at each other as they get something is going on — you can kind of just from their movements tell how well they're engaged, and then the heartfelt applause when the play's finished is great,” said Hakel.

Potential audience members at the production’s second weekend can expect to laugh, cheer, and feel touched, according to Hakel. He said that “nobody who's seen it so far has wished they hadn't.”

Jordan Killam, the lead actress who plays Jennifer, resonates more personally with the story, thanks to her Jewish background that feels similar to the Jewish experience of Jennifer’s family.

Killam sees the story as both an accurate and important insight into what life would’ve been like as Ashkenazi Jews in America in the 1950s. Killam’s great-grandfather, who faced violence because of his Jewish faith, escaped Russia in favor of the United States, just like Jennifer’s mother did with her family.

“This one felt really close to home, so I have to admit, it wasn't as much of a stretch for me,” Killam said about getting into character. “But I think the challenge was representing, I guess, an experience of my life accurately in a way that was entertaining and enriching for audiences.

“I hear a lot of laughter. There are some very emotional parts, and I heard some sniffles in the audience, as well,” she said.

The actress added that she likes how the show gets into some deeper issues.

“I think it's a great show. It offers a lot of different kinds of perspectives. I mean, we're not just looking at the Jewish family living in America who immigrated from Russia. We're looking at issues of feminism, issues of Jews getting businesses going after World War II, and the [Great] Depression.”

The production runs through Sunday. Tickets are avalible online at https://www.onthestage.tickets .