Summer, 1976
WriterDavid Auburn
CharactersDiana
Alice
PremiereApril 25, 2023
PlaceSamuel J. Friedman Theatre
Orig langEnglish
GenreComedy, Drama

Summer, 1976 is a Broadway play written by David Auburn. The story follows two women living in Ohio who become unlikely friends over playdates with their respective young daughters during the summer of 1976,[1] the American Bicentennial. It began previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on April 4, 2023, with an opening date set for April 25.[2][3]

Production

The play was originally announced to debut in late 2022 Off-Broadway, but in August 2022 it was announced that it would instead receive a Broadway staging in April 2023 by the Manhattan Theatre Club, which is producing the show.[4]

The Broadway production starred Laura Linney as Diana and Jessica Hecht as Alice.[5][6] Daniel Sullivan directed, with set design by John Lee Beatty, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, costume design by Linda Cho, sound design by Jill BC Du Boff, projection design by Hana S. Kim, and original music by Greg Pliska.[3][7] The production received generally positive reviews, with The New York Times calling it "sharply observant, too, and subtly, insistently feminist"[8] and Deadline praised Hecht and Linney's performances as "outstanding."[9] Even so, some critics felt the show was under-staged with both actors seated for much of the play, with Time Out New York comparing the production to "watching an audiobook."[10]

The production was set to run from April 25 until May 28[11] but received two extensions and closed on June 18, 2023.[12][13]

Premise

Diana, an artist and single mother, and Alice, a free-spirited and naive young housewife, forge an unlikely friendship one night in Ohio.[6]

Cast and characters

CharacterBroadway[14]
2023
DianaLaura Linney
AliceJessica Hecht

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2023Tony AwardsBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a PlayJessica Hecht[15]
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding New Broadway Play[16]
Drama League AwardOutstanding Production of a Play[17]
Distinguished PerformanceLaura Linney

References

  1. ^ Soloski, Alexis (2023-04-17). "'Like a Romance': Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht's Spring Fling Onstage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. ^ "Summer, 1976 (Broadway, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre)". Playbill
  3. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2023-04-04). "Summer, 1976 Begins World Premiere on Broadway via Manhattan Theatre Club April 4". Playbill. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  4. ^ Meyer, Dan (August 30, 2022). "SUMMER, 1976 Moves to Broadway With Laura Linney". www.theatrely.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  5. ^ White, Abbey (2022-08-30). "Laura Linney to Star in Broadway Play 'Summer, 1976'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  6. ^ Evans, Greg (2022-11-17). "Jessica Hecht To Join Laura Linney On Broadway In 'Summer, 1976' This Spring". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  7. ^ "Summer, 1976". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  8. ^ "Summer, 1976 Review: Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht in David Auburn’s Play". The New York Times. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  9. ^ "‘Summer, 1976’ Broadway Review: Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht in David Auburn’s Play". Deadline. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  10. ^ "‘Summer, 1976’ Broadway review: MTC, Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht". Time Out New York. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  11. ^ Bathke, John (12 April 2023). "Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht form a surprising friendship in 'Summer, 1976'". News 12 - Brooklyn. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  12. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 2, 2023). "Broadway's Summer, 1976 Gets 2nd Extension". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  13. ^ "Summer, 1976". IBDB. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "Summer, 1976". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
  15. ^ Rubin, Rebecca & Lang, Brent (2023-05-02). "Tony Award Nominations 2023: 'Some Like It Hot' Dominates, Followed by '& Juliet,' 'Shucked,' 'New York, New York'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  16. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 16, 2023). "Some Like It Hot Dominates 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  17. ^ "2023 Drama League Award Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2026-04-25.