Powerfully Performed and Cleverly Presents Contemporary Voices: Play Readings from Award-Winning Scripts: The Humans at Brigham Young University in Provo

By Benjamin Brockbank

The theater festival Contemporary Voices: Play Readings from Award-Winning Scripts: Suffrage, The Humans, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike  by Brigham Young University’s Nelke Theatre in Provo, Utah presents plays where you receive the depth of the story but much is left to your imagination with no props, no costumes, a few lighting changes and the scripts are read with performance and reader’s theater blocking.

The Humans, written by Stephen Karam, premiered in September 2015 and having close to a year-run on Broadway and a winner of four Tony’s including Best Play, is a journey of a family grappling with the American Dream while working through PTSD from 9/11 and financial woes and fears. When secrets are revealed, the family experiences shame, reality versus expectations, and working to love each other and themselves.

Isaac Maltby as Erik Blake gives a phenomenal performance of showing a dad dealing with his own demons, how they impact him and his family, and how he can move forward. His character ranges from making jokes, to suffering from PTSD and he shows those range and progression of emotions in very real ways. Calee Gardner as Deirdre Blake portrays a mom dealing with her expectations and her upbringing, and how those things have helped and hurt herself and others. Her facial expressions and strong emotions made her an intriguing character that had me wondering what would happen next with her. Additionally, both Maltby and  Gardner do an incredible job of showing their chemistry as characters working through disappointments, hopes and fears.

Melanie Berriman plays Aimee Blake, a successful but pained, scarred sister who works to love and move forward despite her setbacks and fears. Her naturalization while dealing with many situations is incredible. Justine Kitteringham plays Brigid Blake and gives her character a fierceness but timidity to as she works  to be strong as she sorts through various disappointments and frustrations.

Veronica Augustine gives a very convincing performance of Fiona “Momo” Blake, the grandma of the family, who suffers with dementia. With very few lines, Augustine delivers her character’s strong presence through incredible movement, delivery, and expression. Kyle Hollingshaus convincingly delivers as Richard Saad, Brigid Blake’s boyfriend. He seamlessly shows us the many facets of Richard of working to be a good support for Brigid while also navigating how to best respond and help other members of the family.

A unique aspect of this performance was how the stage directions are read by Caleb Brown whodelivers by helping set the tone, especially when they naturally move quickly from humor, to help, to distraught. He also does well balancing narration while elevating the performances of the actors. His performance gives the needed weight and depth to mundane events that impact the characters as they navigate from  dread to healing.

Director Wade Hollinghaus crafts The Humans very well, particularly with the delivery, expression, and timing of the actors. The blocking and lighting is simple but very profound and gives the audience an authentic experience relating to the regret, fear, hope, and growth of the characters. Not having a set and leaving a lot to the audience’s imagination allows them to be right there with the characters.

The Humans at Brigham Young University’s Nelke Theatre in Provo, Utah gives authentic family dynamics by showing the impact of trauma, fear, expectations versus reality while trying to hold onto ourselves and those we love. It will give you gratitude and introspection for your own perceptions and relationship dynamics.

There are two other plays in this series:

• Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike January 10 and 18 @ 7:30 P.M. Rated PG-13
• Suffrage January 11 and 16 @ 7:30 P.M Rated PG-13

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The Humans is PG-13 for language and content, including mild swearing and issues dealing with mental health and marriage. Recommended for 14 and up.

Brigham Young University Arts presents Contemporary Voices: Play Readings from Award-Winning Scripts: The Humans.
Brigham Young University, Nelke Theatre, 800 E Campus Dr, Provo, UT 84602
January 9-11, 16-18 7:30 PM
Tickets: $5
BYU Arts Facebook Page
The Humans Facebook Event (2/17/20)