“After Happy,” Central Works’ 79th premiere, is a delightful blend of broad comedy with a message about the climate crisis. Playwright Patricia Milton (“The engine of our Destruction,” “Bamboozled”) knows that a little bit of sugar makes the medicine go down. And with “After Happy,” she brings us more than enough laughs and entertainment to make the environment tutorial palatable. The wonderful performances, especially those of Jan Zvaifler and Lauren Dunagan, also greatly enhance the play.
The action of the 75-minute one-act play takes place in Lake Charles, Louisiana, during the aftermath of the hurricane ironically named “Happy.” It has caused terrible destruction in the area, with rising waters, and blue tarps dotting the rooftops.
But all the town matriarch, Brenda Barrow (Jan Zvaifler), can think about is pulling together the annual Pirate Festival. After all, as the majority shareholder in the family business, Noble Oil Company, it is her long-standing responsibility. Perhaps being the center of attention isn’t so bad either. Jan Zvaifler is simply terrific as Brenda, making the most of clever bayou-speak and amusingly broad facial expressions.
When Brenda is at her wits’ end trying to replace the Pirate Queen (how could the chosen queen be so thoughtless as to have appendicitis at this crucial time!), Brenda’s estranged niece, Kat (Lauren Dunagan), makes a sudden, stealthy appearance in the early morning hours.
Brenda is initially suspicious of Kat and wonders where the $20,000 in bail money she lent Kat has gone. But the natural affection between aunt and niece breaks down their differences, as Brenda tries to convince Kat to be the Pirate Queen, perhaps with the help of a push-up bra.
It soon becomes clear that Kat’s interests lie elsewhere. She is a member of the “Climate Avengers” who have been protesting and causing havoc around the country. Kat, antsy and uncomfortable, is angry and upset about how badly the family oil business is hurting the environment. But what is her endgame? When her severe, unsmiling friend Steph (Rezan Asfaw) joins the scene, we wonder how far they will go to make their point.
With Gary Graves’ adept direction and the first-rate acting, “After Happy” is an entertaining evening of theater, with the important lessons clearly conveyed.
Tickets are $35-45 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All remaining tickets are available Friday-Sunday on a sliding scale ($20-$45), starting at noon on the day of the show. Pay-what-you-can on Thursdays.
By Emily S. Mendel
©Emily S. Mendel 2026 All Rights Reserved
