THE HUMANS Wins 2016 Tony Award for Best Play

Roundabout Theatre Company's The Humans has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play. The Broadway production of Stephen Karam's much-raved-about new play began performances at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street) on Saturday, January 23, 2016, and opened officially on Thursday, February 18. Directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, the play featured its entire acclaimed current Off-Broadway cast.

The ensemble cast, all of whom were featured in the current smash-hit Off-Broadway production at Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd HaimesArtistic Director), includes Cassie Beck (Aimee), Reed Birney (Erik), Jayne Houdyshell (Deirdre)Lauren Klein (Fiona "Momo" Blake), Arian Moayed (Richard) and Sarah Steele (Brigid).

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).

THE HUMANS is Stephen Karam's second play commissioned by Roundabout Theatre Company, following his Pulitzer Prize finalist Sons of the Prophet (his first Roundabout commission; 2011) and the hugely acclaimed premiere of Speech & Debate (2007). Karam's work at Roundabout is a part of their New Play Initiative; a collection of programs designed to foster and produce new work by emerging and established artists.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus