[2] Howe's play was originally met with backlash and she was quoted saying "The absurdists can shake up our preconceptions about power and identity but for a woman to take on the sanctity of motherhood, even my agent at the time dismissed me.” Its first off-Broadway performance was with the Atlantic Theatre Company and it was directed by Christian Parker.
[3] Howe has been compared to many of the great absurdist writers of the 20th century due to her loose structure and nonsense plot.
Sandy tries to get Nicky to read his cards before opening his gifts but he refuses to listen or acknowledge his mother at all.
During the process of the party Nicky continues to have meltdowns and all of the Freed's accomplishments are introduced to the audience.
Saying even though they have traveled the world, done amazing things, their life essentially has no meaning due to their lack of children.
The play ends with Nicky wishing for siblings for his birthday, but it is revealed that Sandy is now barren and cannot have anymore children.
Mia and Jeffery Freed leave for the night and the Apple Family continues their birthday celebration.
[4] Existentialism: The idea that nothing matters in the world and that a person has to make meaning in their lives for it to hold any value, is a common theme.
The idea that a woman does not want motherhood is a foreign concept to the two main characters who, despite having an ill-behaved child, believe that every person should long for parenthood.