The Refuge Plays 2023
Opened: October 11, 2023Closing: November 12, 2023
The Refuge Plays - 2023 Off-Broadway History , Info & More
Laura Pels Theatre
Harold & Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre 111 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036
Late at night, deep in the woods of southern Illinois, a ghost tells Gail she will die within the next 24 hours. So begins The Refuge Plays, an epic tale that follows one Black family over 70 years. Written by Nathan Alan Davis, this bold reimagining of an American “family play” is full of humor, heart and surprises. Patricia McGregor directs.
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Refuge Plays
‘The Refuge Plays’ Review: A Surreal Family Saga on the Homestead
7 / 10
In an attempt to imagine alternative ways of being, the playwright has smashed existing artistic forms and created new ones along the way. The result is provocative but messy: While the three acts interlock, they don’t propel each other forward, and Davis’s surfeit of ideas ultimately comes at the expense of a dramatic throughline. But cumbersome as it is, “The Refuge Plays” suggests the potential for stories to exceed the world’s limitations. Ellison would have to agree.
A Long Hike in the Woods: The Refuge Plays
6 / 10
In The Refuge Plays, Nathan Alan Davis has put together a three-part drama full of engaging small gestures that fail to add up. The drama is Davis’s follow-up after arriving in New York in 2016 with Nat Turner in Jerusalem, and it’s admirably ambitious; this production directed by Patricia McGregor runs three hours and 29 minutes. That’s not nearly as long as some epics, but certainly longer than your average nonprofit subscription theater program (The Refuge Plays is a co-production from New York Theatre Workshop and the Roundabout), especially at a time when most are cutting back. It’s got an intriguing hook: The trilogy begins more or less in the present with a Black family in a house hidden in the woods of Southern Illinois and then steps back one generation with each installment. But as it telescopes into the past, the series falls short of coherence, wandering away from itself and losing the audience.
Video: Get a First Look at THE REFUGE PLAYS at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 17, 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 17, 2023
Get a sneak peek of THE REFUGE PLAYS at Roundabout Theatre Company in this exclusive video. Discover the latest production from Roundabout Theatre Company and get a glimpse of the play before it hits the stage. Don't miss your chance to experience THE REFUGE PLAYS - book your tickets now!
Review Roundup: THE REFUGE PLAYS
by Nicole Rosky - October 12, 2023
by Nicole Rosky - October 12, 2023
Roundabout Theatre Company just celebrated opening night for the world-premiere production of The Refuge Plays, by Nathan Alan Davis. Check out what the critics had to say!
Video: Go Inside Opening Night of THE REFUGE PLAYS
by Opening Night - October 10, 2023
by Opening Night - October 10, 2023
In this video watch as we take you inside opening night of Roundabout Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Refuge Plays, by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of THE REFUGE PLAYS
by Jennifer Broski - October 5, 2023
by Jennifer Broski - October 5, 2023
Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world-premiere production of The Refuge Plays, by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor, in association with New York Theatre Workshop. Check out photos of the stars arriving on the opening night red carpet here!
Photos: The Cast and Creatives Arrive at Opening Night of Roundabout's THE REFUGE PLAYS
by Jennifer Broski - October 5, 2023
by Jennifer Broski - October 5, 2023
Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world-premiere production of The Refuge Plays, by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor, in association with New York Theatre Workshop. The production officially opened last night, October 4. Check out photos of the cast on the red carpet here!
Photos: Get a First Look at THE REFUGE PLAYS at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 4, 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 4, 2023
Take a first look at THE REFUGE PLAYS at Roundabout Theatre Company. This highly anticipated production features an incredible cast including Jessica Frances Dukes, Ngozi Anyanwu, Jon Michael Hill, Nicole Ari Parker, and more. Get an inside glimpse of the show before it opens and get ready to be captivated by this exciting new production.
Photos: Go Inside Rehearsals for THE REFUGE PLAYS at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 13, 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 13, 2023
Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world-premiere production of The Refuge Plays by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor, in association with New York Theatre Workshop. See rehearsal photos!
Video: What's THE REFUGE PLAYS All About? The Cast Explains
by Nicole Rosky - August 25, 2023
by Nicole Rosky - August 25, 2023
Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the world premiere of The Refuge Plays by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor, in association with New York Theatre Workshop. In this video, the cast explains more about what the play is all about!
Photos: Meet the Cast of Roundabout's THE REFUGE PLAYS
by Jennifer Broski - August 23, 2023
by Jennifer Broski - August 23, 2023
Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the world premiere of The Refuge Plays by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor, in association with New York Theatre Workshop.
Daniel J. Watts, Nicole Ari Parker & More to Star in THE REFUGE PLAYS at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - August 3, 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - August 3, 2023
Discover the complete cast for THE REFUGE PLAYS, the highly anticipated production at Roundabout Theatre Company. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the talented actors bring this captivating play to life. Make sure to secure your tickets now.
The Refuge Plays History
Other Productions of The Refuge Plays
| 2023 | Off-Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Off-Broadway Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
The Refuge Plays - 2023 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations
Note: Award winners will appear on a background
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Nicole Ari Parker |
| 2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | Nicole Ari Parker |
Videos