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The Humans 2016

Run Time:
One hour and 35 minutes, with no intermission
Ages: 16+
Opened: February 18, 2016
Closing: January 15, 2017

The Humans - 2016 Broadway History , Info & More

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.


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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Humans

Personal demons haunt Broadway's moving 'The Humans'
9 / 10

It could certainly be argued that this home is haunted, but not by the usual suspects that pop up in horror flicks and scary campfire tales. As the Blakes gather for Thanksgiving dinner, along with Brigid's boyfriend and housemate, they are set upon, slowly but steadily, by frustrated and forsaken dreams and failed expectations...Karam...isn't interested in a polemic. Humans rather considers the trials its highly imperfect subjects face in a highly imperfect world, and resolves, without ever approaching sentimentality, that love is nonetheless resilient.

The Humans: EW stage review
8 / 10

Thanks to Karam's script and the ensemble's performances, every slight, every shared memory, and every knowing glance feels utterly lived in. The brilliant direction by Joe Mantello helps hugely with believability as well -- the movement of the actors throughout the David Zinn's two-floor set, which we look in on like a dollhouse no one would want, is wonderfully intricate yet fluid...Some moments are absolutely devastating -- Reid Birney, as the hollowed-out father prone to thousand-yard stares, is the standout of the cast -- but it's unfair to label the play as simply 'depressing,' because it's depressing in the way life is depressing and hilarious in the way life is hilarious...Karam's transcendently mundane play is a reminder that family dinner dramas can still be surprising -- and they doesn't need ghosts or things that go bump in the night to achieve that. Real life is scary enough. A-

Tony-Winning Thanksgiving Family Drama THE HUMANS Becomes Top-Grossing Play of 2016
by BWW News Desk - January 4, 2017


The most acclaimed, celebrated, and awarded American play in recent memory, The Humans, was also the top-grossing play of 2016 with box office receipts totaling $23,004,513.38.

THE HUMANS to Eat Last Holiday Meal on Broadway This Winter; National Tour on the Horizon!
by BWW News Desk - December 1, 2016


Producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller announced today that the most acclaimed, celebrated, and awarded American play in recent memory, The Humans, will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at its third New York home, the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, after its year-long, smash hit run on Broadway and fourteen weeks Off Broadway.

Photo Flash: THE HUMANS Poses for Thanksgiving Family Portrait
by Nicole Rosky - November 24, 2016


To celebrate Thanksgiving, the award-winning ensemble of the reigning Tony Award®-winning Best Play, The Humans, posed for a commemorative "family portrait" in the style of Norman Rockwell's iconic painting, "Freedom from Want." The photograph, shot by artist Julieta Cervantes, was unveiled today in the pages of New York's Hometown Newspaper, the New York Daily News.

Tony Winning Play THE HUMANS Recoups in Just 26 Weeks on Broadway
by Caryn Robbins - September 19, 2016


Stephen Karam's Tony Award-winning drama THE HUMANS has recouped its $3.8 million capitalization after just 26 weeks on Broadway. Producer Scott Rudin confirmed the news this morning.

Tony Winning Play THE HUMANS to Play Final Performance at the Schoenfeld This January
by Caryn Robbins - September 15, 2016


The New York Times reports that THE HUMANS, which took home the 2016 Tony Award for Best New Play, will shutter on January 15th.

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars with Kate Baldwin
by Nicole Rosky - September 16, 2016


In this week's edition, we caught up with Kate Baldwin, who returns to the Sheen Center on September 18 to sing the music of Georgia Stitt. For tickets, visit: http://sheencenter.org

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- THE HUMANS' Arian Moayed
by Nicole Rosky - August 26, 2016


In this week's edition, we caught up with Arian Moayed, who stars as 'Richard Saad' in THE HUMANS, playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

Up on the Marquee: THE HUMANS Moves to the Schoenfeld
by Walter McBride - July 28, 2016


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, on the heels of winning four Tony Awards including Best Play,The Humans will move into Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) to extend its limited run. The Humans will play its first performance in its new home on Tuesday, August 9. It played its final performance at the Helen Hayes Theatre on July 24, and is in the midst of a two-week hiatus to allow for the move. As previously announced, the Hayes is set to undergo significant renovations beginning in August. CLICK HERE to find out how the show will make the switch!

BWW Exclusive: Moving House- How a Tony-Winning Play Switches Theatres
by Nicole Rosky - July 24, 2016


Broadway shows changing houses is not a totally uncommon thing, though it has happened just a handful of times over the past few years. In 2013, Mamma Mia! packed up at the Winter Garden to continue its run at the Broadhurst Theatre. Rock of Ages moved three blocks from the Brooks Atkinson to the Helen Hayes in 2011. Before that, such shows as The 39 Steps, August: Osage County, The Lion King, and Chicago did the same. So what exactly goes into moving from Broadway's smallest theatre to a 1093-seat house? (Hint: Despite the show's apartment-style set, it's more than just cardboard boxes and a U-Haul.) Stage Manager Billy Barnes explains:

TCG Releases Revised Edition of THE HUMANS
by Tyler Peterson - June 28, 2016


Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the publication of a revised edition of Stephen Karam's The Humans, with an updated text and a new foreword by Samuel G. Freedman. The play premiered in November 2014 at the American Theater Company in Chicago, and premiered Off Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre Company in October 2015. It transferred to Broadway in the winter of 2016 to massive critical acclaim. The Humans earned six nominations for the 70th Annual Tony Awards in 2016 and won four, including Best Play.

Breaking News: Tony-Winning THE HUMANS Will Move to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre to Extend Run
by Nicole Rosky - June 23, 2016


Producer Scott Rudin announced today that, on the heels of winning four Tony Awards including Best Play, The Humans will move into Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) to extend its limited run. The Humans will play its first performance in its new home on Tuesday, August 9. It will play its final performance at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Sunday, July 24, and then take a two-week hiatus to allow for the move. As previously announced, the Hayes is set to undergo significant renovations beginning in August.

Photo Coverage: THE HUMANS' Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell Unveil Sardi's Portraits!
by Jennifer Broski - June 3, 2016


The beloved Broadway tradition continues as Sardi's just added two new caricatures of Tony Award-nominees Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell to its walls. BroadwayWorld was there for the special celebration and you can check out photos below!

BWW Tonys Special: Hangin' with the Humans of THE HUMANS- Tony Nominees Reed Birney & Jayne Houdyshell!
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - June 6, 2016


Jayne Houdyshell and Reed Birney play husband and wife onstage- Erik and Deirdre Blake in Stephen Karam's The Humans. The play, which originated at the Roundabout Theatre Company last year, earned six Tony nominations, including nods for the duo (Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Featured Role in a Play). Before the big day, they checked in with BroadwayWorld to tell us all about how they're holding up!

THE HUMANS' Jayne Houdyshell Wins 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress - Play
by Caryn Robbins - June 12, 2016


Jayne Houdyshell has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her role of Deirdre Blake in Roundabout Theatre Company's THE HUMANS.

THE HUMANS Wins 2016 Tony Award for Best Play
by Caryn Robbins - June 12, 2016


Roundabout Theatre Company's THE HUMANS has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play.

THE HUMANS' David Zinn Wins 2016 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play
by Caryn Robbins - June 12, 2016


David Zinn has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play for Roundabout Theatre Company's THE HUMANS. 

THE HUMANS' Reed Birney Wins 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role - Play
by Caryn Robbins - June 12, 2016


Reed Birney has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his role as Erik Blake in THE HUMANS.

Tony Awards Close-Up: THE HUMANS' Jayne Houdyshell & Reed Birney Find the Roles of a Lifetime
by Nicole Rosky - May 31, 2016


Jayne Houdyshell and Reed Birney play husband and wife onstage- Erik and Deirdre Blake in Stephen Karam's THE HUMANS. The play, which originated at the Roundabout Theatre Company last year, earned six Tony nominations, including nods for the duo (Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Featured Role in a Play). Check out why they couldn't be happier below!

VIDEO: Tony Nominees Reed Birney, Jayne Houdyshell & More Talk Broadway's THE HUMANS
by Caryn Robbins - May 6, 2016


Playwright Stephen Karam, director Joe Mantello, and two of the show's Tony-nominated stars, Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell discuss the hit Broadway production.

THEATER TALK Spotlights Tony Nominated THE HUMANS This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - May 6, 2016


The newest edition of THEATER TALK spotlights the acclaimed new American play, THE HUMANS by Stephen Karam, which has just been nominated for six Tony Awards, including one for Best Play.

THEATER TALK to Spotlight Tony Nominated THE HUMANS This Friday
by BWW News Desk - May 3, 2016


The newest edition of THEATER TALK spotlights the acclaimed new American play, THE HUMANS by Stephen Karam, which has just been nominated for six Tony Awards, including one for Best Play.

The Humans History

Other Productions of The Humans

2015   Off-Broadway Roundabout Theatre Company Off-Broadway Production
Off-Broadway
2016   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2017   US Tour First National Tour
US Tour

The Humans - 2016 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2016 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Play The Humans
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Play Joe Mantello
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play Justin Townsend
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Play The Humans
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Sound Design in a Play Fitz Patton
2016 Drama Desk Awards Special Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble The Humans
2016 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Reed Birney
2016 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Jayne Houdyshell
2016 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play Stephen Karam
2016 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Play The Humans
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Reed Birney
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actress in a Play Jayne Houdyshell
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Play Joe Mantello
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play Stephen Karam
2016 The Lortels Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Lauren Klein
2016 The Lortels Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play Reed Birney
2016 The Lortels Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play Jayne Houdyshell
2016 The Lortels Outstanding Lighting Design Justin Townsend
2016 The Lortels Outstanding Scenic Design David Zinn
2016 The Lortels Outstanding Sound Design Fitz Patton
2016 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Play Joe Mantello
2016 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Play Justin Townsend
2016 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play Reed Birney
2016 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play Jayne Houdyshell
2016 Tony Awards Best Play Stephen Karam
2016 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Play David Zinn

Videos