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The Humans at Ahmanson Theater

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

Recommended for ages 15+

Run Time

95 minutes, no intermission

Dates

Finished Jul 29, 2018

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

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Customer reviews

22 reviews, average rating: (2.7 Stars)

T.Google

Very Realistic and Human

I don’t understand the negative reviews written about this play. How can someone say they enjoyed the acting, the set, and everything else, yet leave a 1-Star review because the content was “too heavy” for them? The play is called The Humans for a reason: everyone in it is dealing with some very human problems that we can all relate to in one form or another. Whether you are an older adult with health problems, children, and money issues, or a post-grad with a career and student debt, or a young adult struggling to get your career going, or an individual with mental health issues. The material, portrays brilliantly by the cast, hits the mark it was aiming for, and really makes for good conversation after the show. I found it to be engaging, and effective in its relatability. Anyone who disliked the play for its realism should stick to comedies, or better yet read a synopsis every once in a while. Grading a play not based on its own merits is downright unfair, and petty. ... Read more

Camille

Thoughtful and funny

The acting was great. The story was very relevant and needs to be heard. The conversation was interesting and ending was stimulating. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Nojamin

Quality Theater

I thoroughly enjoyed this play - the ensemble cast is stellar and truly depicts that all families are dysfunctional, but at the end of the day our love for one another overrides the dysfunction. Due to the seriousness of some of the content, I would not recommend for anyone under 16 years of age. There is a lot of humor though as well. ... Read more

News

Tony Winners Join Cast In LA!

Tony Winners Join Cast In LA!

News Desk, May 3rd, 2018
Tony winners and original cast members Jayne Houdyshell and Reed Birney join other cast members for the L.A run of the Tony-winning. and Pulitzer Prize-winning, play The Humans. ...
Read more

Tony Winners Join Cast In LA!

Tony Winners Join Cast In LA!
News Desk, May 3rd, 2018
Tony winners and original cast members Jayne Houdyshell and Reed Birney join other cast members for the L.A run of the Tony-winning. and Pulitzer Prize-winning, play The Humans. ...
Read more

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