Red Speedo

Red Speedo
2016 Off-Broadway production poster
Original languageEnglish
Written byLucas Hnath
CharactersRay
Peter
Coach
Lydia
GenreDrama
Premiere
DateSeptember 25, 2013
PlaceStudio Theatre

Red Speedo is a dramatic stage play by American playwright Lucas Hnath which follows a competitive swimmer embroiled in a steroid controversy. The play premiered in Washington, D.C. at the Studio Theatre in 2013[1] and subsequently premiered Off-Broadway in 2016 at the New York Theatre Workshop.[2]

Plot

The play follows Ray, a competitive swimmer, on the even of the U.S. Olympic Trials where, if he qualifies, he will get a lucrative contract with Speedo. With everything on the line, a bottle of performance-enhancing drugs are found in the locker room, forcing Ray and his lawyer brother, Peter, to clear himself or risk losing everything.[3][4][5]

Production history

2013 Washington D.C. premiere

The play had its world premiere in 2013 at the Studio Theatre in Washington D.C. starring Frank Boyd as Ray, Thomas Jay Ryan as Peter, Harry A. Winter as Coach and Laura C. Harris as Lydia. The production was directed by Lila Neugebauer and ran from September 25 through October 13, 2013.[6] The production received mixed reviews, with BroadwayWorld praising it as "compelling" and "timely," though criticizing the script as "problematic."[7] The production was nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards, including for Outstanding New Play or Musical.[8]

2016 Off-Broadway production

The play was next produced in 2016 Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop, running from March 3 through 27, 2016. Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, the production starred Alex Breaux as Ray, Lucas Caleb Rooney as Peter, Peter Jay Fernandez as Coach and Zoë Winters as Lydia.[9] This production was notably the first to include a real water tank with transparent walls within the scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez,[10] who was nominated for an Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play for his work.[11][12] Additionally, the play received two Obie Awards for Hnath's playwriting and Rooney's performance as Peter.[13]

2024 West End production

The play made its United Kingdom premiere in 2024 at Orange Tree Theatre, running from July 18 through August 10, 2024. Directed by Matthew Dunster, the production starred Finn Cole as Ray, Ciarán Owens as Peter, Fraser James as Coach and Parker Lapaine as Lydia.[14][15] The Guardian gave the show three stars, praising it as "well acted" but criticized the show's 90-minute run time as "stinging like chlorine."[16] More positively, British Theatre Guide noted the production "has good form" and lauded Dunster's direction as "rock-solid."[17]

Cast and characters

Character Studio Theatre 2013[18] Off-Broadway 2016[19] West End 2024[20]
Ray Frank Boyd Alex Breaux Finn Cole
Peter Thomas Jay Ryan Lucas Caleb Rooney Ciarán Owens
Coach Harry A. Winter Peter Jay Fernandez Fraser James
Lydia Laura C. Harris Zoë Winters Parker Lapaine

Awards and nominations

2013 Washington D.C. production

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2014 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding New Play or Musical Nominated [21]
Outstanding Movement Robb Hunter Nominated

2016 Off-Broadway production

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2016 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play Riccardo Hernandez Nominated [22][23]
Obie Award Distinguished Playwriting Lucas Hnath Won [24]
Distinguished Performance Lucas Caleb Rooney Won

References

  1. ^ "Red Speedo - The Studio Theatre". The Studio Theatre. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  2. ^ "Lucas Hnath's Red Speedo Opens Tonight". Playbill. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  3. ^ "Red Speedo - The Studio Theatre". The Studio Theatre. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  4. ^ "'Red Speedo': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  5. ^ "Red Speedo". Concord Theatricals. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  6. ^ "Red Speedo - The Studio Theatre". The Studio Theatre. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  7. ^ "BWW Reviews: Moral Dilemmas Exposed in Studio Theatre's World Premiere RED SPEEDO". BroadwayWorld. September 30, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  8. ^ "Helen Hayes Award nominations announced". The Washington Post. January 27, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  9. ^ "Red Speedo". New York Theatre Workshop. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  10. ^ "'Red Speedo': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  11. ^ "2016 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  12. ^ Gordon Cox (June 5, 2016). "2016 Drama Desk Awards (FULL LIST): 'Shuffle Along,' 'The Humans'". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "2016 Obie Award Winners Announced". Obie Awards. May 20, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  14. ^ "PHOTOS: Get a 1st Look at European Premiere of Red Speedo, Starring Finn Cole". Playbill. July 25, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  15. ^ "Red Speedo reveals complete UK premiere cast". WhatsOnStage. July 12, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  16. ^ "Red Speedo review – Finn Cole is superb in this swimming-pool thriller". The Guardian. July 22, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  17. ^ "Review: Red Speedo". British Theatre Guide. July 22, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  18. ^ "Red Speedo - The Studio Theatre". The Studio Theatre. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  19. ^ "Red Speedo". New York Theatre Workshop. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  20. ^ "PHOTOS: Get a 1st Look at European Premiere of Red Speedo, Starring Finn Cole". Playbill. July 25, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  21. ^ "Helen Hayes Award nominations announced". The Washington Post. January 27, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  22. ^ "2016 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  23. ^ Gordon Cox (June 5, 2016). "2016 Drama Desk Awards (FULL LIST): 'Shuffle Along,' 'The Humans'". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  24. ^ "2016 Obie Award Winners Announced". Obie Awards. May 20, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
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