“The Humans” is a slice-of-life peek into a dysfunctional family’s Thanksgiving dinner. It starts with discord and never lets up. Fine performances by six Novato Theater Company actors rivet sharp-edged characters as they parry and thrust at one another.
Stephen Karam wrote his drama of three generations hiding secrets and resentments in a basement apartment (a great set by Michael Walraven). Add alcohol, irritating neighbors and faulty light bulbs to put this dinner on edge. Anyone want them as relatives?
Director Patrick Nims pulled fine performances from the actors to create cohesion from their criticisms. Brigid (Olivia Brown) is the youngest in this confrontational family. She starts out angry and stays that way, even when her helpful boyfriend (Ron Chapman) tries to be supportive. He doesn’t escape a grilling, of course.
“It was a challenge to memorize the gibberish in the script.”…
Brigid’s older sister Aimee (Alicia Kraft) has serious health and relationship turmoil, which she wisely keeps close to her vest. For sport, the sisters gang up to mock their mother (Laura J. Davies), reducing her to tears. Their father (David Francis Perry) gets shredded by both wife and daughters. It’s not pretty to watch, unless you’re fond of schadenfreude.
Marilyn Hughes, playing the frail and wheelchair-bound Momo, is particularly convincing. Her character doesn’t do or say much to provoke anyone, so her family mostly ignores her. Hughes notes offstage “It was a challenge to memorize the gibberish in the script.”
“The Humans” runs for 90 minutes, with no intermission, and contains adult themes and language.
ASR Reviewer Cari Lynn Pace is a member of SFBATCC and writes theatre and lifestyle reviews for the Marinscope Community Newspapers throughout Marin County.
| Production | The Humans |
|---|---|
| Written by | Stephen Karam |
| Directed by | Patrick Nims |
| Producing Company | Novato Theater Company |
| Production Dates | Through Sept. 29th |
| Production Address | Novato Theater Company 5420 Nave Drive, Novato 94949 |
| Website | NovatoTheaterCompany.org |
| Telephone | |
| Tickets | $21 – $27 |
| Reviewer Score | Max in each category is 5/5 |
| Overall | 3/5 |
| Performance | 5/5 |
| Script | 3/5 |
| Stagecraft | 5/5 |
| Aisle Seat Review PICK? | ----- |