The Birds (12 Peers Theater)

When you hear the title The Birds, the classic film by famed director Alfred Hitchcock has to come to mind. Based on the short story by Daphne du Maurier the classic tale has been modernized by an adaptation by Conor McPherson. While this modern entry does differ from the source, it is still an interesting and unsettling preview into the spiraling mental state within an apocalyptic state.

When I heard that local stage production company 12 Peers Theater was performing their interpretation of this classic tale, I was sold. I had to see it. While I knew the minimalist cast would create a story much different than the Hitchcock classic, the overall tension and atmosphere of seclusion and isolation from the turmoil outside would have to exist; and it did.

While nothing remotely similar to the Hitchcock classic on first glance, there is a darkness that exists in the modern Hell. Directed for the stage by Vince Ventura, the three-person cast of Gayle Pazerski (Diane), Nick Mitchell (Nat) and Sara Ashley Fisher (Julia) have tremendous chemistry in this dialog driven trip into the dark world of the end times (#birdpocalypse).

Backed by a tremendous soundscape and an impressive combination of setting and lighting, the play holds your attention throughout, and pulls you into the tumultuous relationships within a sanctuary full of fear, love, and jealousy. In the end, this 12 Peers Theater production is well worth the trip into Pittsburgh to see; and with only four shows remaining (Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, August 21), time is running out. If interested, the production can be seen at the Studio Theatre at the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning (in the basement) and more information can be found at their website (http://www.12peerstheater.org). If like me, you are a fan of The Birds, this is a must see.

The Birds (1963)

It was awesome on Saturday night as all four of my daughters were sitting together at their grandmothers’ house watching some television. Fortunately, I never leave the house unprepared for just these situations, and this time was no different. So, without hesitation, I fired up the DVD player for the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock classic The Birds!

Plot/ A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness.

Ever since I watched this classic the first time years ago, I was hooked on all things Alfred Hitchcock. Everything the master did was amazing and I am still amazed at the quality of his flicks all these years later. The Birds feature some of the best special effects of the era (especially the attack scenes), great cinematography, solid acting and an awesome soundtrack. His use of silence to build tension and atmosphere was brilliant and worked perfectly. Yes, originally I found the ending a bit anticlimactic, but that has grown on me more and more every time I watch it and the dialogue has started to feel dated, but those are very minor flaws that are barely noticeable. This is a true classic and film that everyone should enjoy. If you have not watched it yet, why not? Check it out!