With rainbow colors, Raleigh Little Theatre play explores friendship and diversity

Raleigh Little Theatre's "My Wonderful Birthday Suit" uses color, silliness and an adorable bird named Bobo to introduce young children to topics that can be tricky for kids -- and adults -- to talk about.

"My Wonderful Birthday Suit" opened May 5 and runs through May 21 at Raleigh Little Theatre's Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre.

The whimsical play teaches children lessons in friendship, sharing and diversity. Although its content is directed toward preschool-age and elementary students, even babies and toddlers in the audience will get a kick out of the silly noises, colorful set and sparkly costumes.

During each show, children can sit on floor pillows in front of the stage to get close to the action. They may even get to talk with the actors and pet Bobo, the feathered friend of two party guests, Oobladee and Oobladah, and the birthday girl herself, Shebopshebe.

During the play, actors climb a tall, winding thinking tree, tumble and roll around on stage and entertain kids with music and brightly-colored birthday balloons and presents. But behind all the silliness and laughs are some serious themes that the actors noticed children and adults react to in the several performances they've had so far.

When Shebopshebe arrives at her birthday party, Oobladah is very surprised to learn the guest of honor is Black.

Audience members of all ages may feel unsettled when Oobladah looks at Shebopshebe and repeats, "but she's brown," over and over.

"It's been really fun seeing how different groups of kids responded," said Abby Patrick, who plays Oobladee. "We've had kids some trying to echo us -- they would start saying 'brown, brown, brown.' Then we've had some kids just be shocked."

Samantha Kiser, who plays Bobo, found the adults' reactions interesting.

"There are lots of adults who just look so uncomfortable," Kiser said. "But I feel like the end [of the play], the resolution that we are all presents and we're all special no matter what our wrapping is ... it gives the audience a lot of peace, so I think everyone is able to walk away feeling good and feeling special."

The play's director, Amelia Lumpkin, loves children. Lumpkin was an elementary school teacher and camp director for years -- and she also remembers being the only Black girl at many birthday parties.

"My Wonderful Birthday Suit takes a really interesting angle ... we look at one of the biggest pitfalls or conflicts that can come up when we try to make loving friendships, and that is this pervasive problem of racism," Lumpkin said. "When kids look up to their parents or to adults in their lives it's unlikely that they see lots of friendships that cross the color line."

Noticing and celebrating our different colors we are is only one theme. The show teaches us to love our bodies and appreciate our skin, which protects us, heals itself and "always fits."

Although dozens of presents line the stage -- a child's dream -- it's no secret that friends, love and fun are the best gifts at the party.

"I think this play is important for so many reasons," Lumpkin said. "It really centers children. All of the main characters are children ... and it centers their needs, their wants, their joys. We get to witness children do one of the most important things, which is making friendships.

Lumpkin said "My Wonderful Birthday Suit" was selected by Raleigh Little Theatre for its happiness, rainbow colors and fun -- to help kids recover from the isolation and strangeness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"One of the reasons we chose 'My Wonderful Birthday Suit' for this season is because we felt kids really needed joy," Lumpkin said. "Kids need and deserve joy at this time ... and that is exactly what 'My Wonderful Birthday Suit' brings."

My Wonderful Birthday Suit

"My Wonderful Birthday Suit" runs Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. A sensory-friendly performance will be held May 20 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $13 for children 12 and under.

The play lasts approximately 60 minutes.