Amy and the Orphans
| Amy and the Orphans | |
|---|---|
2018 Off-Broadway production poster | |
| Written by | Lindsey Ferrentino |
| Characters |
|
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | Long Island, NY |
| Premiere | |
| Date premiered | March 1, 2018 |
| Place premiered | Laura Pels Theatre |
Amy and the Orphans is a 2018 play by Lindsey Ferrentino. The play officially opened Off-Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company's Laura Pels Theatre on March 1, 2018.[1]
Plot
Two siblings, Maggie and Jacob, decide to visit their sister, Amy, who has Down's syndrome, at an assisted living facility, to break the news about their father's death and mother's rapid demise. They decide to take a road trip to Long Island with Amy's nurse Kathy to lay their father to rest, flashing back intermittently to their parents' decisions to institutionalize Amy as a child.[2]
Production history
Ferrentino was inspired to write the play by her aunt who has Down syndrome.[3]
The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre Company Laura Pels Theatre, beginning previews on February 1, 2022, and officially opened on March 1, 2018. The cast featured Vanessa Aspillaga as Kathy, Jamie Brewer as Amy, Josh McDermitt as Bobby, Mark Blum as Jacob, Diane Davis as Sarah, and Debra Monk as Maggie. It was directed by Scott Ellis. The production closed on April 22, 2018. Brewer won a Drama Desk Award [4] and Theatre World Award for her performance, and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award, along with Ferrentino.[5] Additionally, Aspillaga was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for her performance.[6]
Netflix will adapt the play into a feature film which is also written by Ferrentino, with Jamie Brewer set to reprise her role as Amy. The film is set to be produced by Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan through their production company, Aggregate, alongside Tracey Nyberg.[7][8]
Cast and characters
| Character | Off-Broadway 2018[9] |
|---|---|
| Maggie | Debra Monk |
| Jacob | Mark Blum |
| Amy | Jamie Brewer |
| Kathy | Vanessa Aspillaga |
| Bobby | Josh McDermitt |
| Sarah | Diane Davis |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Jamie Brewer | Won | [10][11] |
| Outer Critics Circle Award | John Gassner Award | Lindsey Ferrentino | Nominated | [12][13] | |
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Jamie Brewer | Nominated | |||
| Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Vanessa Aspillaga | Nominated | [14] | |
| Theatre World Award | Outstanding Debut | Jamie Brewer | Won | [15] |
References
- ^ "Amy and the Orphans Opens Off-Broadway". 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
- ^ "Review: 'Amy and the Orphans'". The New York Times. March 1, 2018.
- ^ "AMY AND THE ORPHANS: A Conversation with Playwright Lindsey Ferrentino and Director Scott Ellis". 2018-02-24.
- ^ Playbill Staff (June 3, 2018). "SpongeBob SquarePants Leads 2018 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 7, 2018). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, My Fair Lady Win Big at 2018 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (6 May 2018). "KPOP, Cost of Living, School Girls Among 2018 Lucille Lortel Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (March 16, 2021). "Netflix to Adapt 'Amy and the Orphans' Play With Director Lindsey Ferrentino (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "'Amy And The Orphans' Film Based On Off-Broadway Hit In Works From Aggregate Films; Jamie Brewer To Reprise Lead Role, With Lindsey Ferrentino Directing". Deadline. February 7, 2023. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
- ^ "Amy and the Orphans". Roundabout Theatre Company. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
- ^ "2018 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Playbill Staff (June 3, 2018). "SpongeBob SquarePants Leads 2018 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 7, 2018). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, My Fair Lady Win Big at 2018 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ "2017–2018 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (6 May 2018). "KPOP, Cost of Living, School Girls Among 2018 Lucille Lortel Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ "Theatre World Awards Announces 2018 Winners". American Theatre. May 8, 2018. Retrieved 2026-05-10.