←Recommendations of The Unexpected Delight of Snow Birds

Brian's misguided attempt at a Christmas gift is both funny and touching. As is Claire's initially scathing response. This play really captures the dynamic of a 47 year marriage and the unique ways people respond to grief. A lovely, lovely work.

THE UNEXPECTED DELIGHT OF SNOW BIRDS is, dare I say, an unexpected delight of a play. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s incredibly witty (my goodness, Claire is hilariously mean yet somehow endearing with her insults). The banter between these two is engaging and palpable. I always ALWAYS love reading Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend’s plays.

An absolutely charming and funny play about grief, long-term relationships, and pigeons.

I recommend this play because Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend has written married-for-nearly-half-a-century chemistry between Claire and Brian. Backstory, bantering, sympathy, insults .. all of it is here. Plus some somber emotion and a dash of darkness.

I think seasoned actors will love these roles and audience will love the characters.

This couple is life goals. I love how they understand each other, the banter, the compassion, the teasing. This little play demonstrates grief in such a real and authentic way. It's a wonderful play about the holidays, family, and relationships, with humor, whimsy, and charm. Plus it has great roles for older actors and would be easy to stage.

Is it too gauche to say that "The Unexpected Delight of Snow Birds" is an...well...?

Feriend's short holiday romp is one about a beautifully and naturally realized couple in an argument (the insults!), but also so much more. It is a tender and genuine examination of tradition, how we create new ones, and grief. And birds. Apparently there are people who hate birds. Thoughtful, funny, and with the perfect amount of whimsy, you can't ask for anything more. Except maybe a raccoon.

I enjoyed hearing this beautiful play read aloud and found the relationship between the two characters to be completely charming and authentic. It's a wonderful exploration of how different people cope with loss and how that changes our experience of the holidays. While I wouldn't enjoy Brian's gift either, I would love to have a partner with that level of thoughtfulness, however off-the-mark it was. I hope their new holiday tradition lasts many more years!

A funny and tender holiday play about grief, loss, love, and new traditions. THE UNEXPECTED DELIGHT OF SNOWBIRDS has so much going for it: plumb roles for older actors, snappy dialogue, great visuals, and creative insults that would make Shakespeare nod appreciatively; most importantly, at its center there lies a relatable truth about how grief is heightened during the holidays, and a moving example of the ways we can hold each other through it. This short would be an excellent addition to any holiday festival.

Thank you to Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend for giving this playwright a play about seniors who are in no way failing but making plans. New traditions, new ways to honor those that have passed (be them human or feline), and loving, begrudging affection between the two just charmed me. The sharp dialogue cuts the sentiment. And I really hope they outlive any parakeets that come their way.

Oh I love Claire and Brian, what a sweet old couple! Claire barrage of hilarious insults and Brian's perseverance to make amends for ruining the Christmas trip had me smiling throughout. But what really makes this play so special is the tender way their grief for family, be it human or feline, is presented.
Staged at Christmas this play would melt the hardest of hearts.