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Summer, 1976 Broadway

Summer, 1976 2023

Run Time:
Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
Opened: April 25, 2023
Closing: May 28, 2023

Summer, 1976 - 2023 Broadway History , Info & More

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)
261 W. 47th St. New York, NY 10036

This deeply moving, insightful piece is about connection, memories, and the small moments that can change the course of our lives. Over one fateful summer, an unlikely friendship develops between Diana, a fiercely iconoclastic artist and single mom, and Alice, a free-spirited yet naive young housewife. As the Bicentennial is celebrated across the country, these two young women in Ohio navigate motherhood, ambition, and intimacy, and help each other discover their own independence. Directing is Tony winner Daniel Sullivan.


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PREVIEW Summer, 1976 - 2023 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Summer, 1976

Pleasant Reminiscing in SUMMER, 1976 — Review
7 / 10

But Linney and Hecht’s confident, vulnerable-lite performances are the reasons to come, and the two stage veterans embrace the audience with their affable warmth and charm. They, too, find variations in their similarities— when both are seated, with their legs crossed and hands folded on their laps, notice how differently they enact these simple positions. It’s not a rollercoaster of emotion, but Summer, 1976 builds up to a moving statement on the passage of time and those who come across our voyages, however quickly or unexpectedly, that caught me off-guard. The production effectively captures the bittersweet ennui of summer, and makes for a gentle, lightly stirring Saturday afternoon.

SUMMER, 1976
4 / 10

“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person,” starts a famous, anonymously written poem. Admittedly, these lines (and that life situation) are something almost all of us can relate to -- a fact that playwright David Auburn seems to be counting on in our reaction to his less-than-satisfying two-hander “Summer, 1976,” now debuting at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Indeed, familiarity doesn’t breed much enthusiasm nor contempt, just a mild case of frustration. While brilliantly acted by Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht (both of them smartly costumed by Linda Cho), the 90-minute play ultimately feels like a stretched-out anecdote. We wait for an exciting plot twist, but two arrive that turn out to be dream sequences, while another struck me as less-than-believable.

Video: Jessica Hecht Opens Up About Her Intimate Stagetime with Laura Linney
by Richard Ridge - June 7, 2023


In this video, watch as Tony nominee Jessica Hecht chats more about being back at MTC in Summer, 1976, the joy of working alongside Laura Linney, and so much more.

SUMMER, 1976, Starring Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht, Extends For An Additional Week
by Blair Ingenthron - May 2, 2023


Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director and Barry Grove, Executive Producer)'s world premiere of Summer, 1976 has announced an additional one-week extension. Summer, 1976 will now play through Sunday, June 18 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

Video: On the Red Carpet for SUMMER, 1976 Opening Night
by Opening Night - April 26, 2023


Check out footage from the opening night red carpet of MTC's Summer, 1976!

Photos: Inside Opening Night of SUMMER, 1976
by Bruce Glikas - April 26, 2023


Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Summer, 1976, opened last night at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the big night here!

Review Roundup: Laura Linney & Jessica Hecht Star In SUMMER, 1976 On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - April 25, 2023


Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Summer, 1976, opens tonight at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Read reviews for the production!

SUMMER, 1976 Will Be Recorded For Release on Audible
by Stephi Wild - April 25, 2023


Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere of Summer, 1976 opens tonight on Broadway. The production will be recorded and released on Audible later this year, extending its reach to millions of listeners around the world.

Video: Watch Highlights from SUMMER, 1976 on Broadway
by Show Highlights - April 24, 2023


Previews are underway for Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Summer, 1976, which has been extended for two weeks through Saturday, June 10 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Watch the cast in action in this video!

SUMMER, 1976 Extended for Two Weeks on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 20, 2023


Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere of Summer, 1976 starring Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht, will be extended for two weeks. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Photos: First Look at Laura Linney & Jessica Hecht in SUMMER, 1976
by Show Highlights - April 13, 2023


Previews are now underway for Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere of Summer, 1976, running at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). check out photos of the cast in action here!

SUMMER, 1976 Starring Laura Linney & Jessica Hecht Begins Previews Tomorrow
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 3, 2023


Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere of Summer, 1976 begins previews tomorrow at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. See how to purchase tickets!

Meet the Cast of SUMMER, 1976; Beginning Previews Tonight!
by Stephi Wild - April 4, 2023


Summer, 1976 officially begins previews tonight, April 4, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Meet the cast of Summer, 1976 here!

Video: Laura Linney & Jessica Hecht Are Getting Ready to Return to Broadway in SUMMER, 1976
by Nicole Rosky - March 19, 2023


Summer, 1976 will begin previews on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 ahead of a Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Opening Night at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and BroadwayWorld is chatting with the cast in this video!

Photos: SUMMER, 1976's Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht Meet the Press
by Bruce Glikas - March 14, 2023


The cast and creative team of Summer, 1976 met the press ahead of its first preview set for next month! BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out the photos here!

Jessica Hecht to Join Laura Linney in the World Premiere of SUMMER, 1976
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 17, 2022


Tony Award & Emmy Award Nominee Jessica Hecht will join Tony Award & Academy Award nominee Laura Linney in Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Summer, 1976 written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn and directed by Tony winner Daniel Sullivan.

Summer, 1976 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I get Rush Tickets for Summer, 1976 on Broadway?

Digital Rush
Price
: $43
Where: On the Today Tix app.
When: Released on a first-come, first-served basis every performance day at 9 AM.
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Subject to availability.

 

Student Rush
Price: $30
Where: Samuel J. Friedman box office
When: Student rush tickets are available at the box office on the day of the show when the box office opens.
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Payable by cash or credit card and available to students with an ID from a degree or diploma-granting institution. Subject to availability.

How long has Summer, 1976 been running on Broadway?
Summer, 1976 opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway) on Tuesday Apr 25, 2023 and has now been running for 1 month.

Summer, 1976 History

Other Productions of Summer, 1976

2023   Broadway Manhattan Theatre Club World Premiere Broadway Production
Broadway

Summer, 1976 - 2023 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2023 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Laura Linney
2023 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Summer, 1976
2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play Summer, 1976
2023 Tony Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play Jessica Hecht

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