Human Error Review – Accidents Happen

Penned by Eric Pfeffinger, HUMAN ERROR made its debut in Denver in 2018. In 2024, it makes its Los Angeles premiere at the Rogue Machine helmed by Joshua Bitton. HUMAN ERROR juxtaposes two very current topics, IVF transplantation and today’s political schism (bright blue and raging red, anyone?). Author Pfeffinger noted: “When I wrote the first draft of HUMAN ERROR, I was concerned about the play’s expiration date…what if the country grew less polarized and hostile and the comedy lost its relevance?” For good or bad, it seems that his fear has not yet been realized.

Kapil Talwalkar and Kiel Kennedy – Photo by Jeff Lorch

When presented with Pfeffinger’s script, director Bitton had a strong response: “The thing that struck me the most (other than the humor) when I was first introduced to Eric’s play, was that it looked at people, at Americans, on different sides of the political spectrum, and it humanized them…he takes these remarkably different couples, from opposite sides of our ‘red and blue’ mentality, and forces them, through a ridiculous and high stakes circumstance, to have to deal with each other…in doing so, he allows us to laugh at each other’s foibles while reminding us that we all have them – and in the end we all share at least one common goal – the pursuit of life, liberty, justice, and the freedom to laugh.”

Lauren Burns and Kiel Kennedy – Photo by Jeff Lorch

The time is the present and the place is on both sides of the Ohio/Michigan border. Sameer (Kapil Talwalkar) and his wife Madelyn (Kristen Vaganos) have been called back to the IVF fertility clinic, where an awkward, clumsy, and utterly ridiculous Dr. Hoskins (Andrew Hawtrey) has some bad news for them. A slight “bookkeeping” error has occurred at the clinic – and their fertilized embryos have been transplanted into another woman’s body. When the stunned couple go to meet the recipients of their “pre-baby,” they quickly discover that Big Jim (Kiel Kennedy) and Heather (Lauren Burns) are about as far as possible from their ideological matches. There probably aren’t enough guns in the world for hunter and he-man Jim, and deeply Christian Heather can’t imagine anyone not going to church every Sunday. In fact, BLUE ultra-liberals meet RED ultra-conservatives, in no uncertain terms. When Heather decides to go ahead with the pregnancy and give the newborn to Madelyn and Sameer, it becomes evident that – somehow – the two couples must reach a rapprochement. How it all works out – or doesn’t – is the meat of the play.

Lauren Burns and Kristen Vaganos – Photo by Jeff Lorch

HUMAN ERROR is a hilarious story told in multiple vignettes. As is sometimes true of comedy, the characters are somewhat one-dimensional in the pursuit of every laugh possible. Given that limitation, director Joshua Bitton and the cast shine. Bitton does a superb job of introducing and fleshing out each character – to the extent possible within the confines of the script – warts and all. The four hapless people caught up in this fiasco also do a great job of tapping into every opportunity for humor (with the occasional poignant moment). Perhaps this is due to their creds as Groundlings, a nearby Los Angeles theater group specializing in all manner of comedy. Special kudos to Andrew Hawtrey as Dr. Hoskins; he’s everyone’s medical nightmare wrapped up in uproarious emperor’s clothing. James Morris’ scenic design is perfect for the show, as are Christine Cover Ferro’s costumes, Rachel Manheimer’s lighting, and Christopher Moscatiello’s sound. AUDIENCE ALERT: Some of the themes introduced are highly controversial. If you’re in the mood for entertainment and lots of laughs, HUMAN ERROR fills the bill.

Andrew Hawtrey, Kiel Kennedy, Lauren Burns, Kapil Talwalkar, and Kristen Vaganos – Photo by Jeff Lorch

HUMAN ERROR runs through September 1, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Rogue Machine performs at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Tickets are $45 – seniors $35, students $25, Shows4Less on 8/16 ($10+), 8/23 ($15+), and 8/30. For information and reservations, call 855-585-5185 or go online.