The Humans
A middle-class family seems to be spiraling toward perilous entropy in "The Humans," the blisteringly funny, bruisingly sad and altogether wonderful play by Stephen Karam
The New York Times
Why see The Humans?
NEW TOUR
Following its Tony Award-winning Off- and on-Broadway engagement that lasted a year and 14 weeks, Stephen Karam's highly acclaimed play about family conflict is on tour. The Humans is a moving portrait of a family who come to understand each other very differently over a Thanksgiving dinner. Warm, witty and very funny, don't miss this Tony-winning triumph.
The Humans charts the at times fractious but always loving interplay between The Blakes, a Pennsylvania family uprooted to Manhattan for Thanksgiving. A real actor's showpiece, the play is a compact 95 minutes, with the action taking place in real time. Directed by two-time Tony winner Joe Mantello (An Act of God), this Roundabout Theatre production is a portrait of a flawed but very real family, who are only brought closer together by the arguments and bitter remarks that spill out as the play progresses.
What is The Humans About?
Brigid Blake has just moved to Manhattan with her boyfriend Richard, and what better way to celebrate than invite her family over for Thanksgiving? When her parents, elder sister and grandmother arrive they find a barely furnished apartment, replete with dripping taps, buzzing light bulbs and strange thumps coming through the ceiling. Determined to make the best of things, the Blakes make a start on the dinner, yet the unfamiliar surroundings instills an unusual atmosphere around the table, and they find themselves being far more candid with each other than they have been in years.
Did You know?
This beloved modern play won four Tony Awards in 2016, including one each for cast members Jayne Houdyshell (Follies) and Reed Birney (Netflix's House of Cards), as well as Best Play and Best Scenic Design Of A Play
Key Information
Audience
Run Time
Dates
Cast
Richard Thomas as Erik
Pamela Reed as Deirdre
Daisy Eagan as Brigid
Lauren Klein as Momo
Therese Plaehn as Aimee
Luis Vega as Richard
Creative
Written by Stephen Karam
Directed by Joe Mantello
Scenic Design by David Zinn
Costume Design by Sarah Laux
Lighting Design by Justin Townsend
Sound Design by Fitz Patton
Hair & Wig Design by Luc Verschueren
Awards
2016 TONY AWARD WINS
Best Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Reed Birney
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Jayne Houdyshell
Best Scenic Design of a Play
2016 TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS
Best Play
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Best Direction of a Play - Joe Mantello
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Reed Birney
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Jayne Houdyshell
Best Scenic Design of a Play
2016 DRAMA DESK AWARD WINS
Outstanding Play
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play - Justin Townsend
Outstanding Sound Design in a Play - Fitz Patton
Outstanding Ensemble
Reviews
Our review
Intriguing, Insightful, Encouraging
As the family prepares for a Thanksgiving dinner, served on paper plates, we understand that family is everything. The family dynamics are well studied by playwright Stephen Karam in this intriguing and insightful production.
Nicola Quinn
Customer reviews
Jacob Jones
GREAT SHOW
Amanda Aikman
The Humans is Impeccable
Sean Lane
Work of art