"The Humans" - by Stephen Karam - AFD Theatre (Arlington, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Vi Patch as “Aimee” and Erica Strickland as “Brigid” in a scene from Stephen Karam's play "THE HUMANS" at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Consider this my fond farewell. Erin go bragh. Dance more than I did. Drink less than I did. Go to church. Be good to everyone."
- ("Momo") / Stephen Karam
Arlington Friends of the Drama/AFD Theatre
Presents Stephen Karam's
"THE HUMANS"
Written by Stephen Karam
Directed by Joe Stallone
Production Manager Judy Weinberg
Stage Manager Sarah O'Neill
Cast Includes: Jud Pierce as “Erik,” Lida McGirr as “Deirdre,” Michelle Ashley as “Momo,” Justin Demers as “Richard,” Vi Patch as “Aimee,” Erica Strickland as “Brigid.”
Additional Creative Team:
Set Design/Set Tech - Doug Feinburg; Set Crew - Charlie Carr, Katie Carroll, Ralph Clifford, Lucia Grunko, Frank Hildebrand, Ken Livak, Shayna Loeffler, Suzi Lubar, Ethan Theriault, Ken Theriault, David Warnock, Ginger Webb; Costumes - Emma Joyce; Hair and Makeup - Jeanne Callinan; Lighting Design - Iain Bason, David Silber; Sound Design - Ed Council; Props and Set Dressing - Janice Sophis, Judy Weinberg, Helane Blinn.
Performances:
March 14, 2025 through March 30, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
AFD THEATRE, 22 Academy Street, Arlington, MA. 02476
TICKETS:
For more information or tickets, contact AFD THEATRE at www.afdtheatre.org/buy-tickets or by calling the box office at # 781-646-5922 or emailing boxoffice@afdtheatre.org.
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
With "THE HUMANS" Arlington Friends of the Drama (AFD Theatre) has staged a marvelous production spotlighting a family on the brink of an emotional catastrophe.
The combined direction taken by the AFD creative team and performances by the six-member cast makes this show a truly intense and enlightening experience.
A one-act play from Stephen Karam, "THE HUMANS" premiered in Chicago, Illinois in 2014 and, after a 2015 limited engagement Off-Broadway, the play made its Broadway debut in 2016 where it would run until 2017.
"THE HUMANS" would become a finalist for the 2016Pulitzer Prize for Drama with the Pulitzer Prize committee calling it a “profoundly affecting drama that sketches the psychological and emotional contours of an average American family."
(Photo: The CAST of Stephen Karam's play "THE HUMANS" at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
The play would go on to further acclaim as the 2016 original Off-Broadway production received Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Play, Outstanding Ensemble, Best Lighting Design for a Play and Best Sound Design in a Play.
The original Broadway production would also receive multiple accolades and awards including four Tony Awards with one for Best Play and one for Best Scenic Design in a Play.
In addition, Stephen Karam would receive an Obie Award for Playwriting A film adaptation of "THE HUMANS" - written and directed by Karam - came out in 2021.
Now, AFD Theatre presents the story and it is easy to see why it garnered so much praise as it is a truly an absorbing "slice of life" drama.
(Photo: Lida McGirr as “Deirdre” with Justin Demers as “Richard” in a scene from Stephen Karam's play "THE HUMANS" at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
As the story of "THE HUMANS" unfolds (in real time):
It is 2016, 15 years after the tragic events of 9/11 as we meet the Blake family who have gathered together for Thanksgiving in a ground floor basement duplex apartment in New York City’s Chinatown.
The apartment, not too far from where the Twin Towers collapsed in 2001, belongs to musician and bartender Brigid Blake (Erica Strickland) and her boyfriend Richard Saad (Justin Demers).
Brigid's parents, Erik (Judson Pierce) and Deirdre (Lida McGirr), have arrived from their home in Scranton, Pennsylvania along with Erik's mother, Fiona (aka "Momo" and played by Michelle Ashley) who is stricken by Alzheimer's disease.
Brigid’s older sister Aimee (Vi Patch), a lawyer working in Philadelphia, is also there.
Aimee has recently had work issues, ended a relationship with a girlfriend, and has been suffering from an intestinal ailment.
All the performances in the cast are solid with a number of emotionally intense exchanges which will have audiences riveted.
(Photo: Vi Patch as “Aimee” and Erica Strickland as “Brigid” in a scene from Stephen Karam's play "THE HUMANS" at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
An Irish-Catholic family, Erik and Deirdre keep goading their daughters over their respective decisions to leave Scranton and abandon their religion, which begins the slow descent into family turmoil as they play continues.
What audiences will most likely experience from "THE HUMANS" is a striking sense of familiarity.
You need not be from a “nuclear” Irish-American family to recognize the dysfunctional family dynamic at work here:
Overbearing parents who want the best for their adult children, all the while making them feel like they are still children, thereby causing both resounding resentment and defiance as a result.
(Photo: Jud Pierce as “Erik” with Justin Demers as “Richard” in a scene from Stephen Karam's play "THE HUMANS" at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
As proficiently staged by AFD's director Joe Stallone, we watch this family's descent as if we are flies perched along a wall (or maybe more like the other apartment bugs which will make their appearance in the story).
Actors Judson Pierce as Erik and Lida McGirr as Deirdre are exceptional portraying parents who barely attempt to suppress their mutual disappointment with their daughters’ life choices - all the while suppressing their own shared secret shame.
Vi Patch is outstanding as Aimee, aided by the playwright in being given a lot of layered content to work with.
From the text, the Aimee character juggles multiple failed relationships in employment, in love and in the character's own health.
As Alzheimer’s victim Momo, Michelle Ashley’s performance is consistently absorbing as you do not know what Momo might do or say next.
Another strong performance comes from Erica Strickland as Brigid, who is not only the family’s host but also a major battleground contender in the family’s squabbles.
As Richard, who attempts throughout to be the voice of reason during many highly unreasonable exchanges by the squabbling Blake family, Justin Demers gives a clever and measured performance.
(Photo: The CAST of Stephen Karam's play "THE HUMANS" at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
The split-level single set design was a visual treat, although sound on the upper level became problematic at times, with portions of the dialogue lost as a result.
More augmentation (at least on the upper level) might have greatly reduced the issue as the actors were obviously projecting as much as possible.
"THE HUMANS" unfolds in one hour 55 minutes with no intermission and in real time.
We watch the tense bickering that ensues while the family simultaneously makes a valiant attempt to enjoy a Thanksgiving repast.
However, the strength of "THE HUMANS" not only comes from Karam's dialogue but also from the staging where, through numerous UN-spoken moments, we witness the characters revealing many deeply suppressed emotions.
Nearing the end of the story, there will be a Thanksgiving revelation which will make one wonder how the subsequent Blake Family Christmas went.
"THE HUMANS" continues at the AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. until March 30th, 2025 and is a great way to spend your St. Patrick’s Day Thanksgiving.
Coming up next at AFD Theatre will be Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" beginning June 6th, 2025.
For more information or tickets, contact AFD Theatre at www.afdtheatre.org/buy-tickets or by calling the box office at # 781-646-5922 or emailing boxoffice@afdtheatre.org.
BUY TICKETS
Approximately one hour, 55 minutes with no intermission
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
In Stephen Karam's "THE HUMANS" - Irish-American Erik Blake has brought his wife and his mother for Thanksgiving at the new home of his daughter and her boyfriend.
His mother (affectionately referred to as “Momo”) is suffering from Alzheimer’s, and his other daughter Aimee has recently been the victim of a nasty breakup.
The parents are disappointed that their daughters have left home to struggle in New York City, and worried that they are abandoning their values.
"THE HUMANS" tells the story of the quintessential family reunion: a group of people who love each other but still wrestle with basic human fears: old age, abandonment, poverty, and death.
Filled with equal parts humor and hurt, "THE HUMANS" is a Tony-award winning play from popular playwright Stephen Karam ("Speech and Debate"). (STAGEAGENT)
ABOUT ARLINGTON FRIENDS OF THE DRAMA/AFD THEATRE
ARLINGTON FRIENDS OF THE DRAMA, now known as AFD THEATRE, was founded in 1923 and is one of the ten oldest continually operating community theatre groups in the country. Now located in the former St. John's Episcopal Church, which has been extensively updated and made handicap-accessible. AFD THEATRE is among the finest area playhouses for actors, directors, production designers and audiences to produce and enjoy live theatre.About AFD THEATRE SeasonsAFD THEATRE puts on four productions: two musicals and two straight plays. AFD THEATRE holds auditions months ahead, and rehearse evenings and weekends. AFD THEATRE welcomes you to join the fun: help build sets, make costumes, do lights. Usher or sell concessions. AFD THEATRE is a community endeavor that seeks to engage all ages in the fun and exciting act of putting on a play!
22 Academy Street
Arlington, MA. 02476
# 781-646-5922
