July 2, 2016 – The Humans written by Stephen Karam opened in Previews on January 24, 2016 at the Second Stage’s Helen Hayes Theatre  with opening on February 18, 2016 and runs through July 24, 2016 when it moves to The Gerald Shoenfeld Theatre opening on August 9, 2016 in an “Open Run”. It was originally produced by Roundabout and directed by Joe Mantello. It has won a series of awards – Pulitzer Prize (2016) for Stephen Karam; 4 Drama Desk Awards (2016) – Outstanding Play, Lighting, Sound and Ensemble Performance; 4 Tony’s (2016) – Best Play, Featured Actor (Reed Birney) & Actress (Jayne Houdyshell); Scenic Design (David Zinn) in a play (it received a total of 6 Tony nominations in 2016).

A Father – Erik Blake (played by Reed Birney) and Mother – Deirdre Blake ( played by Jayne Houdyshell), with the Alzheimer’s suffering Paternal Grandmother – Fiona “Momo” Blake (played by Lauren Klein), pay a visit, together with the    “Gay / Lawyer” daughter / sister  – Aimee Blake  (Played by Cassie Beck ) to the “duplex” basement New York apartment of  the “Girlfriend” / sister – Brigid Blake (played by Sarah Steele) and the Live in Boyfriend – Richard Saad (played by Arian Moayed) for Thanksgiving dinner. Brigid and Richard had been “going out” for some time and recently decided to move in together. The family from Pennsylvania visit bringing a lot of needed supplies to start an apartment. Erik’s mother, in a wheelchair has been getting worse, but has the odd lucid moment. Father has an unfortunate life changing secret to share, but waits until the end to tell it to his daughters. Mother is not happy about one daughter being gay (she recently broke up with her girlfriend at the same time as getting medical diagnosis which will require the elimination of part of her colon), she make the effort to accept that situation, but makes snide remarks. She also makes similar comments of non acceptance of the other daughter moving in with a boyfriend without marriage. There is the usual dysfunctional family dynamic that occurs with stories from the past and past hurts being brought out, with Richard, the only non family attempting to just get through the event, by cooking up a delicious dinner.

The set on two levels works well, albeit a bare set other than kitchen and dining table and the actors do work well together making a good evening of theatre. The dialogue works well and is crisply executed. They hold the audience and some very amusing bits entertain and are interspersed with the psychological jabs between the characters. Never heavy character destruction, but a continuous stream of barbs. Brigid tries to keep thins light and changes the subject, Father seems distracted, Mother is the center of action and resents most things, including the daughter’s lifestyle, having to take care of Mother-in-law and the husband. Aimee seems to spend an inordinate time in the bathroom, due to her condition and Richard lives in the kitchen. A good show and worth seeing. I was a bit surprised that it was considered the best play and that it won so many Tony’s, though. It is a good play and worth seeing, but I don’t think it was the very best of Broadway for the season. However, it is good for the actors and company and should see a run for some months in the new venue.