Your independent guide to the best shows in Chicago
An independent show guide not a venue or show. All tickets 100% guaranteed, some are resale, prices may be above face value.We're an independent show guide not a venue or show. We sell primary, discount and resale tickets, all 100% guaranteed prices may be above face value.We are an independent show guide not a venue or show. We sell primary, discount and resale tickets, all 100% guaranteed and they may be priced above or below face value.
I thoroughly enjoyed this play - the ensemble cast is stellar and truly depicts that all
families are dysfunctional, but at the end of the day our love for one another overrides
the dysfunction.
Due to the seriousness of some of the content, I would not recommend for anyone
under 16 years of age. There is a lot of humor though as well.
T.Google from Cleveland, Ohio
VERY REALISTIC AND HUMAN
I don’t understand the negative reviews written
about this play. How can someone say they
enjoyed the acting, the set, and everything
else, yet leave a 1-Star review because the
content was “too heavy” for them? The play is
called The Humans for a reason: everyone in it
is dealing with some very human problems
that we can all relate to in one form or
another. Whether you are an older adult with
health problems, children, and money issues,
or a post-grad with a career and student debt,
or a young adult struggling to get your career
going, or an individual with mental health
issues. The material, portrays brilliantly by the
cast, hits the mark it was aiming for, and really
makes for good conversation after the show. I
found it to be engaging, and effective in its
relatability. Anyone who disliked the play for its
realism should stick to comedies, or better yet
read a synopsis every once in a while. Grading
a play not based on its own merits is downright
unfair, and petty.
Camille from Cleveland, Ohio
THOUGHTFUL AND FUNNY
The acting was great. The story was very relevant and needs to be heard. The
conversation was interesting and ending was stimulating. Highly recommended.
Jacob Jones from Chicago, Illinois
GREAT SHOW
This was a wonderfully performed show. Acting was solid all the way around. The play is
beautifully written, and it is relatable. You could connect with the characters, and it felt
like real life. It was a solid day at the theater, and one of the better shows I have had the
pleasure of seeing.
Sean Lane from Seattle, Washington
WORK OF ART
There is a good reason why this stunning drama won the Tony Award
for Best Play. It's a work of art. Subtle, deeply emotional and hilarious
at the same time, it also asks an audience to think, something sorely
lacking in drama today. Seattle is indeed a lucky city to be hosting the
kick off for the national tour. It's a don't miss for any theatre goer who
cares about humanity and the future of theatrical literature.
from Seattle, Washington
SO GLAD I WENT
Riveting material. The script included all areas of struggle and triumph no
matter the generation, gender, or socio-economic status. It hit me with a
full scale of emotions. The stage setting used every inch of a three
dimensional platform - brilliant. Despite a large person in front of me, I
don't think there is a bad seat in the house. The play makes for great
conversation after.
Amanda Aikman from Everett, Washington
THE HUMANS IS IMPECCABLE
I had read the script before seeing this magnificent play at
the Rep. the production is absolutely impeccable — funny,
bleak, complex, subtle — it was a thorough-going
Broadway theatre experience. Thrilling. A great aesthetic
experience.
In response to your questions:
I would not take very elderly people to this show, for
thematic reasons.
from Danville, California
ALL AMERICAN FAMILY? LOVED IT!
Our family of 4, 2 adults and 2 teens, attended the show last night and I was
pleasantly surprised to see Richard Thomas as one of the actors. It covered in
snippets, financial struggles, dieting, sexual orientation, career or lack there of,
religion, marriage, dementia, chronic illness, everything but politics, YAY!!! They
covered all of this and did so in a humorous yet real way. I think much of what
played out showed the complexity of American life and struggles often
encountered along the way. A mix of turmoil and love. We all really enjoyed
the show, even the teens!
Samuel from Washington, DC
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN GOOD AND AVERAGE...
Had it not been proclaimed to be the best play of the year (2016), it would have been placed in the right category - that of a good quality drama with witty dialogue, liveliness (no prolonged "dull moments"), solid professional acting and resourceful stage design (a well-earned 4 stars). Alas, this play was over-rated and advertised as something out of this world, which is far from being the case. And that's the reason why I'm giving it 3 stars - I feel a little "deceived" by excessive trumpeting over a mainstream play, well, maybe slightly above the mainstream, if I wanted to be lenient. :)
Janelle from San Francisco, California
NO MOMENTUM OR THEME
The entire time I watched, I knew i was
watching a play. No moment did it suck me
in. I felt like i was watching snarky family
banter with no direction. I don't think this
displayed any talent of the writer. My view of
the show was the best thing.
Barb from Tempe, Arizona
DISAPPOINTED
“The Humans” could be a fine show. However,
my husband and I have season tickets in the
balcony, and for the first 20 minutes, as well as
anytime the blocking took the cast away from
the dinner table, we couldn’t see the cast from
their shoulders up. It was impossible to engage
with the story. It was difficult to catch the
dialogue since Gamage’s sound system isn’t
great. Perhaps we would have enjoyed the play
and what is probably a great set (we couldn’t
see half of it) if it had been in a smaller, more
intimate theater, though with a two story set,
that could be difficult. Our seats and sight lines
haven’t been an issue for any of the other
productions this season. There were so many
empty seats in the balcony- it’s too bad that we
couldn’t have all moved closer, but with no
intermission, it wasn’t possible.
J.D. Conley from Dallas, Texas
A DULL SLICE OF LIFE
I guess I'm rube. This was a Pulitzer finalist?
Why?
The Humans portrays a typical middle class
American family that gathers happily for a
holiday meal and winds up sharing more of
their separate problems than anyone wants
to know. In other words: annoyingly realistic
and boring. I don't need an expensive
evening of theater to see that.
Karam should have whittled this one act in
half and written a second act in which
something meaningful happens.
Season Ticket Holder from Des Moines, Iowa
WISH I HAD SOLD MY SEASON TIX TO THIS ONE
One of the worst plays I've ever seen - and I've seen
Shakespeare performed entirely in Russian! I took
my husband because he loves Richard Thomas, and
I was delightfully surprised to see Pamela Reed was
co-starring. (I'm surprised this combo wasn't
publicized a bit more.) They were great; all the actors
were strong. The set was intriguing. And there was
the occasional strong humorous line, and the
storyline is relatable. It's just the entirety of the
content, man. Talk about a bag of downers!
Alzheimers, alcoholism, loss of jobs, loss of love,
aging, age-gap...oh, and death. But the kicker? The
nail in the coffin? The last 10-15 minutes of the play
is performed virtually in the dark! One lantern that
allows acting via silhouette. And when the lights
went black, no one clapped because we didn't know
whether or not it was over. No wonder they held a
talk session afterwards - people couldn't understand
it! I would have given it 1 star, but the strong cast
wouldn't let me.
Elizabeth Horton from Los Angeles, California
YAAAWN
Agree that it was a LONG one act that went
nowhere. An intermission would have been
a welcome relief from the sitcom subject, all
it needed was a laugh track. I think the big
noise was the ongoing construction of the
parking garage because the only drama in
the afternoon was trying to find our car.
There were more interesting characters
wandering around the 8 level horribly
marked subterranean catacombs clicking
their beepers with hopeless faces. The
satisfying ending the play lacked was
provided when, 45 minutes later, with sore
feet and parched throats, we found the car.
from Los Angeles, California
THE HUMANS
I do not know if the script called for multiple awkward silences between spoken words, talking over other actors lines, and that dreadful no message ending, but either it was the cast or poor direction, but it is beyond me how the Los Angeles play of the Humans I saw won a tony for anything.
If I had been sitting on the aisle, I would hav walked out about 1/2 way in.
Silver M. from Los Angeles, California
INHUMAN (ESPECIALLY WITH NO INTERMISSION)
I don't understand what is funny about sitcom dialogue at more than $50/seat. Nor
why the audience must react as if they are at home and constantly comment on the
show. The noise reportedly from the seventy-something Chinese lady upstairs made
no sense. And the change in tone while anticipated was overly stark and did not feel
as if it fit with the rest of the show. Very disappointing show. I no longer trust the
Tony Award as being a good enough reason to see a show.
I would not recommend this show even though there really is not a bad seat in the
house.
Tim from Boston, Massachusetts
I'VE SPENT TOO MANY THANKSGIVINGS ALREADY LIKE THIS.
The Emperor has no clothes folks. Save your money and instead just spend a day with a friend visiting his
dim witted family and relatives. You'll regret it but at least you'll be doing a nice deed instead of sitting
through this dog and feeling like a fool for listening to the critics who seem to be enthralled in finding
meaning in something with less substance than a piece of chewed gum.
Anonymous season ticket holder from Minneapolis, Minnesota
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY
The Humans was incredibly depressing and depicted a dysfunctional family having
Thanksgiving dinner. The plot didn't really go anywhere except to highlight each
character's flaws and current life problems. Spoiler- no happy ending and with little
plot, really no ending at all. The grandma character with Alzheimer's was the hardest
to watch; a couple times making a joke of her mental state. The father has a
drinking problem as well. Very, very depressing and hard to watch if you've ever
known or dealt with anyone with Alzheimer's or alcoholism. The cast and set was
fine but the content itself was not worth the ticket price. I had to go home and
watch something funny afterward to revive my spirit.
Anne A from Chicago, Illinois
SO DISAPPOINTING
The New York production received such
superlative reviews. I was looking forward to
seeing it here in Chicago. The acting was fine
and we had great seats. But there is no real
story or character development. Just a lot of
cliches and things that go nowhere. I am
rarely so out of tune with the critics, but his
was a big disappointment. I read tons of
character driven fiction and know that it can
be compelling. The Humans was not.
Kathy Holliday from Grapevine, TX
THE HUMANS
Not very entertaining. Left Broadway theater feeling "down" after watching this sad
depiction of a modern day family. If you're looking for an upbeat production, this is
NOT the performance for you. Save your money.
Actors are very good, but content is depressing. Certainly hope that this does not
depict the average american family.
Sylvia S from Seattle, Washington
DISAPPOINTING
I went to see The Humans expecting excellent Broadway, star quality
drama. There was some fine acting, lots of well executed stage
business, but no drama whatsoever. Utterly boring. My Thanksgiving
dinner with my family was more exciting.
Mark V from Seattle, Washington
BLEAK AND DEPRESSING
During this holiday season, if you find yourself laughing and
enjoying time with friends and family to the extent that you need
a break, then by all means go see this bleak, dreary and
pointlessly depressing play that rambles aimlessly through a
Thanksgiving dinner with a remarkably dysfunctional family.
There is no plot and no real ending. The stage just mercifully
goes dark and your suffering ends. I have no idea why this play
won any awards.
Highlights the ongoing issues of depression, indulgence, aging and the distressing notion that America's next generation is flooded with debt before they even begin
As the family prepares for a Thanksgiving dinner, served on paper plates, we understand that family is everything. The family dynamics are well studied by playwright Stephen Karam in this intriguing and insightful production.
Please note: The term Cadillac Palace Theater and/or The Humans as well as all associated graphics, logos, and/or other trademarks, tradenames or copyrights are the property of the Cadillac Palace Theater and/or The Humans and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only.
We are in no way associated with or authorized by the Cadillac Palace Theater and/or The Humans and neither that entity nor any of its affiliates have licensed or endorsed us to sell tickets, goods and or services in conjunction with their events.
You know the drill, websites need cookies to make them work. Details of how we do it here.Hello! It's probably obvious, but we need to let you know that we use cookies to enable us to run this website and for it to actually work! You can find lots more detail in our Cookie Policy.