“Eureka Day” Reveals Hilarious Private School Privilege—at Marin
Suzanne (Lisa Anne Porter), Carina (Leontyne Mbele-Mbong), Don (Howard Swain), Eli (Teddy Spencer), and Meiko (Charisse Loriaux) lead a school-wide livestream. Photos by David Allen.
Jonathan Spector’s Astounding Comedy Returns for Boosters
by Mary Lou Herlihy
With uncanny parallels to the Covid epidemic, prophetic playwright Jonathan Spector uses a public health crisis to spotlight anti-vaxxers. Spector rejoins brilliant director Josh Costello to bring “Eureka Day” back to the Bay after winning a Tony Award.
“Eureka Day” takes us to Berkeley in 2018, when a mumps outbreak hits a private elementary school. The arrival of a letter from Berkeley’s Public Health Director ratchets the Exec Board into overdrive. The confused committee of Eureka Day School parents take polarized positions about imposing student vaccinations. Their attempt to balance freedom and safety confounds them.
In a delightful re-creation of the school library, five committee members squeeze into child-sized furniture. As tension rises, they become child-like. They grandstand, stomp, and pout, seeking an impossible “consensus.”
Suzanne (Lisa Anne Porter), Don (Howard Swain), and Carina (Leontyne Mbele-Mbong) have a heated discussion.
“This is an open room—we welcome your unique perspective,” says Don (playful Howard Swain), his limbs, hair, and mouth flapping freely. Swain’s marvelous physicality makes Don a lovable buffoon. Platitudes like “HOLDING SPACE” and “OH, ABSOLUTELY” fail to convince that he’s in charge.
To reach consensus, Don suggests holding a “Community Activated Conversation,” guaranteed THE MOST fun you’ll ever have on ZOOM! The team huddles around Don who comically grips the laptop as if trying to group hug the virtual visitors.
On the screen behind them, we see rapid fire chat messages from school parents: a churlish and opinionated group. Their rabbit hole of hysteria made me laugh uncontrollably. Spector’s ingeniously orchestrated chaos between committee and irate parents creates comedy magic!
Through the large picture windows, a thick San Francisco fog portends treacherous navigation ahead.
Suzanne (Lisa Anne Porter) and Carina (Leontyne Mbele-Mbong) discuss their kids.
Fancying herself as unifier, Suzanne (powerful Lisa Anne Porter) confides that “Don is a great captain…until they hit an iceberg!” Porter’s brilliant posturing and emphatic gestures give her away as a master manipulator. Sly Suzanne relies on single mom Meiko (subtle Charisse Loriaux) as an essential ally. But Meiko separates herself, coiled and waiting to attack.
Leontyne Mbele-Mbong embodies the elegance and reason of Carina, the new kid on the block. Carina introduces logic, but as the only person of color and a lesbian mom, she hesitates to make waves. Mbele-Mbong’s fleeting expressions reveal Carina’s truth.
Eli (imposing Teddy Spencer) asserts his privilege as a savior with money. Eli wears his insecurities on his hoodie. He’s a stay-at-home Dad, and too much of a kid himself. His affair with a Board member leads to cringe-worthy comedy.
In a powerful hospital scene, Spencer creates great empathy for Eli. For a moment, I was thrust back into the dark days of Covid with the specter of losing a loved one.
Meiko (Charisse Loriaux), Don (Howard Swain), and Eli (Teddy Spencer) are excited to kick off a new school year.
At “Eureka Day,” a shocking turn of events changes everything!
“Eureka Day,” with all its fun poking at the privileged class, brings up issues of great consequence. Our country is steering toward an iceberg with no adults at the helm. Facts and science no longer matter to our child-like leaders.
DON’T MISS this amazing play—it’s Aurora and Marin’s proudest moment, inoculating us against ignorance and pretense.
“Eureka Day” by Jonathan Spector, directed by Josh Costello, scenic design by Richard Olmstead, costumes by Maggie Whitaker, lighting by Jeff Rowlings, sound by Ray Archie, video by Teddy Hulsker, by Aurora Theatre, at Marin Theatre, Mill Valley, California.
Info: marintheatre.org - to September 21, 2025.
Cast: Lisa Anne Porter, Howard Swain, Teddy Spencer, Charisse Loriaux, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, and Kelsey Sloan.