Humans without humanity is like fried chicken without seasoning, a complete waste. Is she a robot? No. She is what is considered an example of the quintessential human. Emotionless, Caucasian, no diseases, no mental health issues, longer life span. An engineered test tube baby. She is perfect. In a world low on resources, humans are now dedicated to fixing the colossal mess left to them by their forefathers. But now there is a different issue. The increasing lack of humanity in humans. The loss of compassion, emotions, soul. Though there were a few disjointed scenes, this world premiere was an ingenious piece of artistry. Produced by Rapid Lemon Productions at The Strand Theater, Honey Bee Baby — brilliantly written by Erlina Ortiz and directed by Jalice Ortiz-Canal — brings you a glimpse of life in a world of extremes. Honey Bee Baby is set during a time in a near-apocalyptic world with no bees, storm surges with 200-plus mph winds, overpopulation — and test tube humans are the elite. Normal life is hiding illegal children from the government, passing mandated tests to become a parent, risking imprisonment if you have an unsanctioned birth, and eliminating those children who fail to meet the standard. The “Randoms” are citizens who live in constant fear of the wrath of the government for even the smallest infraction, like having any kind of emotional display. Or being overheard talking about anything that might be viewed as problematic. These citizens are seen as a lower class of humans because they were brought into the world through random genes by people who had a child in the historical way. Therefore, they are subject to failures of human mediocrity like anemia and depression. The “Engins” are the citizens that have been engineered to perfection. They have better jobs, live underground where it’s safe, and lack the essence of humanity. They are the privileged ones. These two worlds collide in the middle of an ice cream shop. A little girl’s fight for her life battling between the tight box she must fit into and her nature comes to a head during the onset of a storm. Valerie Lewis, Sharon Maguire, and Adanya Koger-Hobson in ‘Honey Bee Baby.’ Photo by Shealyn Jae Photography. Melisa, intensely portrayed by Rakell Foye, is a Random citizen who desperately wants to become a mother. It’s her obsession. She studies constantly, dreams about it, and becomes extremely upset when her husband, Ray, warmly acted by Isaiah C. Evans, suggests waiting. Trust me when I say the fact she showed any emotion in this world is paramount to being in complete hysterics. Her energy and her contained angst felt so real I almost teared up for her. There is a moment, though, when she shows her chutzpah. I loved that for her. Sharon Maguire was one of my favorite actors for her portrayal as Mother. An elite Engin citizen, she was so robotic in her emotionless responses, I really was questioning her humanity, so much so that at one point, I even considered her a soulless engineered device pretending to be human. Although, for the most part, she had the emotional intelligence of an ice-covered rock, it was interesting to see how frustration, anger, and violence still affected humankind. The fact she questioned whether she “felt sad” was funny but so disturbing. Even though the costumes didn’t stand out, Deana Fisher Brill, who designed them, did an amazing job showing through the clothing the class separation and the bleakness of this world. Grey was the color of choice for the Randoms, while a mustard yellow was the only real color to be seen anywhere, and it was reserved for the elites. It was another reminder of the clear separation and the lack of joy in this society. Even the ice cream looked like a disappointment. TOP: Adanya Koger-Hobson and Rakell Foye; ABOVE: Kaitlyn Fowler, Sharon Maguire, Pierre Walters, K.S. Garner, and Rakell Foye, in ‘Honey Bee Baby.’ Photos by Shealyn Jae Photography. My only real question is the placement of the scene when supposedly Melisa visits the doctor. While I understand the importance and the gravity of this scene, I have questions about the timing. Who stops by the doctor’s office after going to the ice cream parlor when you are being told you need to hurry home before a major storm arrives? A theory was toyed with that maybe in this particular scene, the actress was supposed to be portraying someone else, but I’m not sure. Honestly, I was a little confused by the sequence of events here, though it wasn’t enough of a detraction to warrant missing out on such an interesting piece of work. I absolutely enjoyed this production. Overall, this was a great premiere. Even though various “isms” were touched on, there was some humor to be found. It was compelling to see how life works in a world on the brink of its final demise and how society will shift moral judgment to validate continued survival. It really makes you question how much of your thought process is brainwashing and how much is authentic. It was a great ride, and I enjoyed it immensely. In this little pocket of a community theater, a great play was born. Running Time: One hour and 45 minutes including one intermission. Honey Bee Baby plays through January 26, 2025, presented by Rapid Lemon Productions, performing at The Strand Theater located at 5426 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD. Purchase tickets ($25, general admission; $10 on “Industry Night,” January 6 ) online. COVID Safety: The matinee performance on January 19 will be face masks required. Masks will be available at the box office. Honey Bee Baby By Erlina Ortiz Directed by Jalice Ortiz-Canal CAST Clarisa: K.S. Garner Melisa: Rakell Foye Ray: Isaiah C. Evans Mother/Joy: Sharon Maguire Father, Officer, Anchor, Resucer: Pierre Walters Ashanay, Weatherperson, Adama, Right, Officer 2: Valerie Lewis Victoria, Doctor, Left: Adanya Koger-Hobson Maria: Kaitlyn Fowler CREATIVES Stage Manager: Janis Beltran Set Designer: Justin Nepomuceno Lighting Designer: Martin Smith Costume Designer: Deana Fisher Brill Sound/Projections Designer: Max Garner Combat/ Intimacy Director: Mel Gabel Photographer: Shealyn Jae Assistant Stage Manager: Peter Hannon Stage Management Intern: Macario Lenderos