Don't Miss The Humans at American Theater Company

Ah, the holidays.  They seem to bring out the best, and sometimes worst, in people. It is especially poignant when you are with family. American Theater Company (ATC) presents the world premiere of The Humans, a play that highlights just that scenario. A family gathers to celebrate Thanksgiving in a typical New York City apartment, complete with noisy neighbors, burnt out bulbs and sometimes questionable sounds.

It starts off like any other family gathering with parents catching up with their adult children and the usual banter that goes along with that.  Soon, however, you are witness to the various dramas in their individual lives.  In the intimate setting that is the black box theater of ATC, you feel like a silent dinner partner and you are close enough to the other dinner guests that you can feel included, or awkward as conversation, and emotions, soon go south.  This play takes you on a nonstop, 90-minute roller coaster ride of emotions and you find yourself laughing one minute, and near tears the next.

This piece was commissioned by Roundabout Theatre Company in New York. They have generously given ATC permission to premier the piece in Chicago before it opens next season in New York.  ATC, as described on their website, is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question: “What does it mean to be an American?” They provide a truly intimate home for the community to experience meaningful stories and foster a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and create essential work.

Regular performances of The Humans begin tonight November 20th and run through December 21st playing Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays 2pm and 6pm.  For more information and to purchase tickets visit http://www.atcweb.org/bxo/nowplay.php.