The Humans
Roundabout Theatre Company
The Helen Hayes Theatre
January 31, 2016
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| Photo courtesy of The Humans |
The
Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Humans has moved to Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre. The script, written by Stephen Karam, is
brilliantly crafted with strong dramatic action that keeps the audience riveted. Director Joe Mantello directed a seamless
ninety minutes of action that enthralls, entertains, and excites. The cast of five naturalistically delve into
the underlying issues that bubble beneath the surface of continuous holiday conversation. They then boomerang back with understanding
that tenderly defines the family network that the play so aptly and
realistically portrays.
Brigid
(played by Sarah Steele) invites her family for Thanksgiving dinner. She has just moved into a new apartment in
lower Manhattan that she shares with her boyfriend, Richard (played by Arian
Moayed). Her mother, Deirdre (played by
Jayne Houdyshell), is constantly dropping remarks about Brigid and Richard not
being married. Her father, Erik (played
by Reed Birney), has been having trouble sleeping and shares one of his
disturbing nightmares. Her sister, Aimee
(played by Cassie Beck), is suffering from gastric colitis, has recently broken
up with her longtime partner, and is being let go from her law firm. Momo, her grandmother (played by Lauren
Klein), is suffering from dementia and violent outbursts. The “normal” family holiday stress drives the
dinner conversation, revealing a few serious emotional scars. The evening culminates in an announcement
that shakes the foundation and security of this close family unit.
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| Sarah Steele, Arian Moayed, & Jayne Houdyshell Photo courtesy of The Humans |
This
is a true ensemble piece with five strongly developed characters. Each one carries a storyline of their
own. It is their careful and deliberate intertwining
that makes the play engaging. All the
actors are fully committed and create a web of complex relationships that are
realistic, truthful, and endearing. The
set, by David Zinn, is an ingenious split level design that effectively allows
action to be viewed simultaneously. The
lighting, by Justin Townsend, and sound, by Fitz Patton, create an atmosphere
of mystery and suspense that builds as the play reaches its climax.
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| Photo courtesy of The Humans |
The
Humans is performed without an intermission.
There is no late seating and the notice in the program says, “If you
leave your seat for any reason during the performance, you will not be
permitted to return.” Rightly so. The action of this play should not be
interrupted once it begins… and should not be missed. Get a ticket today!
Domenick Danza
