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THE DAY I LEARNED TO FLY Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center/First Look Buffalo Theatre Company
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Jan 20, 2025, 19:42
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Through February 8
THE DAY I LEARNED TO FLY Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center/First Look Buffalo Theatre Company

Much of theater revolves around people finding themselves.
Now, that doesn’t mean that end is good.
Consider Richard III as an example of finding a bad end.
Wendy-Marie Martin’s “The Day I Learned to Fly” is about Hattie (Heather Casseri), a young woman who is lost in her own confusion about her future.
Even her clothing in the First Look Buffalo Theatre Company’s production is dull and drab.
Then, she’s hit by lightning and it all changes.
That’s the extended one-act story, with “Super Hattie” (Kaylie Horowitz) and “Fragment” (Sandra Roberts) splitting off and forcing Hattie to reconsider herself.
Super Hattie is the one dreaming of a fantastic future and learning to fly.
Fragment” is the symbol of the lightning bolt altering the mind so Hattie can suddenly speak Spanish.
With that going on, Hattie is also dealing with her “Debbie Downer” mom (Anne DeFazio), who just likes her daughter in her thrall and just wants her using the injury pain to justify moving into a life of nothing except lamenting the pain.
In her flashy costume, Super Hattie constantly pushes back, urging Hattie to move on up into a better life, with the exciting part of her brain urging Hattie to let the winged supporter swallow the pain of the lightning bolt.
After the bolt hit, a passerby, Hero (Akshat Sharma), saved her life with CPR, met Mom and is interested in developing a relationship with her.
Hattie’s doppelgangers want her to do that.
Since this is a one-acter and something of a didactic play, it all works out and Hattie makes all the right choices to move on from being a nerd in attitude and dress to making the right choices to turn her into a successful and contributing human being.
Is the transition plausible?
Is that a real question about most plays pushing for change?
Certainly, Richard III is a poster boy for moving on up and using personal skills for promotion, although the goals and the methods aren’t admirable.
Here, Super Hattie and Fragment are right about moving forward and upward, with the Lightning an encouragement to make that transition.
Their hearts are in the right place and Hattie makes the right choices, globally and date-wise.
The best role here is Horowitz’ lightning striped Super, although occasionally overdone.
Casseri underplays a bit, although it reflects the part.
It’s hard to evaluate the other cast members because each has several roles.
Director Jason Francey does some nice work, particularly using the Seth Tyler Black’s projections and Gil Jacobs’ sound of thunder.
As I said, “The Day I Learned to Fly” is didactic, although it’s entertaining and sharply done.

A.W.

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