Bunin & Rafaeli Translate Tween Suffering to Spectacular Staging

by Jennifer Charron

Showcasing the complexities of adolescence is an impossible feat. Yet playwright Keith Bunin and director Tyne Rafaeli have adapted Ali Benjamin’s lush coming-of-age novel The Thing About Jellyfish, a National Book Award finalist, for the stage. The results make an intriguing spectacle.

The sensitive novel features Matilda Lawler as Suzy, a 12-year-old girl navigating love and loss. The fine directing and excellent acting make this a first-rate show.

When Suzy’s best friend Franny (high-spirited Kayla Teruel) drowns in a tragic accident, she becomes convinced that a rare jellyfish sting was to blame. Lost in her own thoughts, Suzy withdraws from the world and devises a plan to prove her theory—one that may take her across the globe to make sense of her despair.

Including impressive performances and innovative set design, the video projections are a showstopper! Giant jellyfish images swish through the water with impeccable grace all around the pitch-black backstage walls. The stunning light show by set designer Derek McLane and video designer Lucy Mackinnon create a magical underwater world for Suzy’s grief.

The brilliant stage magic forms a lush backdrop for her imagination. The action moves between Suzy’s past life with Franny and Suzy’s fantasies. The dialogue is filled with rich emotions, tender moments, and sensitive conversations that flood the stage.

Lawler makes Suzy a force: she appears in every scene, delivering soul-searing speeches with mesmerizing energy. Her lost friend Franny swims out of the sky to mingle in Suzy’s daily life. Franny flies beautifully through the air above the action. An impressive sight.

With amazing versatility and humor, Christiana Clark plays lots of roles: Franny’s mom, teacher, doctor, and “Everyone Else.” Clark is constantly popping up with energy and enthusiasm to play yet another funny character brilliantly. What a trouper!

Suzy labors to find reason in the death of Franny. With absolute certainty she believes her friend must have been stung by a jellyfish, what other possible reason could there be?

Desperately trying to make sense of Franny’s death, Suzy feverishly jumps headfirst into a science project on Jellyfish. She employs the scientific method–feverishly pursing facts, gathering data, searching for a possible conclusion. She even conjures up a gentle Australian oceanographer (lovely Robert Stanton) to bounce off her theories. The two work through the science as well as Suzy’s emotions.

As a fascinating glimpse into a girl’s imagination and emotions, “The Thing About Jellyfish” is a wonderful collection of compelling scenes, talented performances, and gorgeous projections.

Bunin is attempting to display a complex human experience onstage—an experiment like Suzy’s scientific research. While the stagecraft takes us on a dive into Suzy’s soul, we are left waiting for more dramatic action. But the beauty and sensitivity of “Jellyfish” leaves us with beautiful images and alluring ideas to ponder and enjoy.

“The Thing About Jellyfish” –based on the novel by Ali Benjamin, adapted for the stage by Keith Bunin, directed by Tyne Rafaeli, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Info: berkeleyrep.org – to March 9, 2025.

Cast: Matilda Lawler, Stephanie Janssen, Kayla Teruel, Andy Grotelueschen, Cristina Clark, Antonio Watson, Lexi Perkel, Robert Stanton, and Jasper Bermudez.

Banner photo: Matilda Lawler (Suzy). Photos: Julieta Cervantes