Buddha's Birthday presented by Lucid Theater at The Edge Theatre

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Crider, who wrote last year's well-received Wells and Welles for Lucid, seems to favor a Socratic approach to drama here, as characters interrogate each other's motives and beliefs. Sometimes it works, but at least in its current incarnation, Buddha's Birthday tends to telegraph its plot developments (it's not a spoiler that Roberta's birthday party doesn't go off as planned). The staging itself also suffers from overlong transitions between scenes that tend to flatten the dramatic momentum. Still, it's a smart script that could use some tightening. The blossoming connection of Pamela and Jennifer centers the intergenerational sympathy between two women who are both looking for something bigger than themselves in the world."

Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...Despite its well-defined narrative, great directing, fine acting, and marvelous production values, the world premiere of "Buddha's Birthday" is not yet ready to make its debut. Whereas I adored playwright Amy Crider's previous creation "Wells and Welles", this one not so much. This is a very different type of story and tries to do a lot, having to do with philosophical issues and the internalization of differing worldviews. Hence, the play needs more precision in getting it just right."

Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended

"...The text drives towards a confrontation between Pamela and her mother. Her family roots for her, the audience roots for her, and yet, the final act of the play takes an unexpected turn, missing an opportunity. Rather than end with a potentially cathartic confrontation between generations of women, Crider went with a more conventional feminist trope of a woman who cuts herself loose in the span of a moment. Based on the two hours we spent with her, she cut the wrong string, but don’t worry, the raccoon is fine."

Third Coast Review - Somewhat Recommended

"...Buddha's Birthday by Lucid Theater is a little slip of a play, a story of family relationships and conflicts-husband/wife, mother/daughter, aunt/niece. One character in each of those pairs is played by Kristie Berger in a warm, naturalistic performance that glues the whole story together. Iris Sowlat directs the four-person cast-five, if you count the raccoon. The play is mostly well written with some humor, although it's marred by production flaws."

Chicago Theater and Arts - Recommended

"...This is another intelligent and thought-provoking work by playwright Amy Crider who recently staged Wells and Welles at nearby CityLit Theatre in 2024."