Following an acclaimed Off-Broadway premiere last fall, the Broadway transfer of Stephen Karam’s family ensemble drama The Humans officially opened Feb. 18 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Here's what critics are saying.
Helmed by Tony winner Joe Mantello, the ensemble cast features Cassie Beck, Reed Birney, Jayne Houdyshell, Lauren Klein, Arian Moayed and Sarah Steele, who were all featured in the Off-Broadway staging.
The critics are filing their reviews, and Playbill.com will continue to update them for our readers.
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How does the Broadway transfer fare in comparison to its Off-Broadway premiere? Read original reviews for the Off-Broadway production here.
The Humans debuted Oct. 25, 2015, at Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre; producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller are behind the Broadway transfer.
The production marks Karam's Broadway playwriting debut. It is his second commission from Roundabout following Sons of the Prophet (2012 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, 2012 Drama Critics Circle, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and Hull-Warriner Awards for Best Play; inaugural Sam Norkin Drama Desk Award). Roundabout also produced his 2007 playwriting debut Speech & Debate, which also starred Steele.
In The Humans, according to production notes, "the angst, anguish and amity of the American middle class are first coaxed – then shoved – into the light in this uproarious, hopeful, and heart-breaking play that takes place over the course of a family dinner on Thanksgiving. Breaking with tradition, Erik Blake (Birney) has brought his Pennsylvania family to celebrate and give thanks at his daughter’s apartment in lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle pre-war duplex, and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the Blake clan’s deepest fears and greatest follies are laid bare. Our modern age of anxiety is keenly observed, with humor and compassion, in this new American classic."
The creative team includes David Zinn (sets), Sarah Laux (costumes), Justin Townsend (lighting) and Fitz Patton (sound).
Read More: The Ties That Bond: How The Women Of The Humans Became Family
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located at 240 West 44th St., Manhattan. Tickets can be purchased via Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
