Written by orange• May 15, 2025• 3:56 am• Garden Grove, Gem Theater, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized

One More Productions Presents: Ordinary Days @ The Gem Theatre – Review

photo credit: Ronnie Lyon

Written by Alina Mae Wilson

Finding the Extraordinary in the Everyday

The Gem Theater is currently staging Adam Gwon’s Ordinary Days, and I can safely say I got true pleasure from experiencing the ordinary. This through-sung musical, set in New York City, manages to capture the spirit of the city without relying on spectacle. Instead of razzle-dazzle, we get something far more human: ordinary people, living ordinary lives, thinking ordinary thoughts—thoughts that are, somehow, deeply relatable and unexpectedly hilarious.

My funny bone, consider it substantially tickled.

Story:

The story is performed by four actors (five if you count the pianist who, with his instrument, set up shop center stage). At first, I was a bit apprehensive—not because the music wasn’t well-performed, but because the opening numbers function mostly as solo introductions. For a moment, I feared we were heading into humanoid Cats territory. But fear not: if you stay strong through the first four songs, you’re rewarded with character interaction, connection, and evolution. We get to watch these strangers meet, bicker, bond, and wrestle with the ordinary challenges of life—and it’s very, very fun.

Set Design:

Victor Crisafulli’s scenic design is charming and inventive. The backdrop is composed of buildings styled to resemble a newspaper-print version of the New York City skyline. These structures double as functional set pieces: doors open to reveal dressers, closets, chairs, and more. Meanwhile, the pianist and piano, played respectively by musician Nick Bravo, regularly contribute beyond the expected as actors interact with them. I’m saying everything from a taxi to a coffee counter to a bench. The actors interact with it constantly, making it a dynamic part of the narrative without ever feeling overdone. It’s clever, understated, and genuinely effective.

Acting:

As for the cast: I loved every one of them. Sasha Baker (Deb), Caden Fraser (Jason), Sean Hawkins (Warren), and Courtney Hays (Claire) each brought a distinct energy to their roles. Baker’s Deb is a neurotic academic on the edge, and Baker succeeds with every panicked pivot. Hawkins’ Warren is so charming and sweet, it made me wonder if Warren is even supposed to be that adorable. I could watch the two of them wander around a museum for hours.

Frasier and Hays, as Jason and Claire, strike a perfect balance of tenderness and awkward distance, especially in their duet “Fine.” The choreography for that number is spot-on: funny, intimate, and thoroughly engaging. I’d happily watch them walk down the street and try to make sense of each other all day.

Musically, Adam Gwon’s style carries faint echoes of Sondheim—clever lyrics, conversational rhythms, and emotional vulnerability that sneak up on you. While I didn’t leave the theater humming specific tunes. I remembered the laughter, the warmth of a line well-delivered, and the ache of characters trying to figure themselves out.

Final Thoughts:

Ordinary Days isn’t flashy—but that’s exactly the point. It’s a quiet triumph, and a heartfelt reminder that even our most uneventful days have stories worth telling.