The Inheritance is a two-part play that first premiered at the Young Vic Theatre in London in March 2018. The play, staged in two parts that are three hours long each, is intended to be viewed sequentially. After an extremely successful run on West End, the epic play made its much-awaited Broadway debut on 27th September 2019 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The Inheritance is the story of three generations of gay men searching for a purpose and community of their own; a place they can call home.

The show focuses on the lives of two couples, Leo and Toby and Eric and Henry who are going through the motions, trying to make sense of their emotions and figuring out themselves in a post-AIDS epidemic world. The almost 6-hour long play masterfully tackles human emotions and desires and asks the current generation what they owe to their forebears. The Inheritance is profoundly touching and wickedly hilarious and will leave you emotionally spent after it's done. Described in its press release as a new play, generations in the making, The Inheritance is the epitome of everything live theatre has to offer; tears, laughter, and hope! Let's take a look at The Inheritance Broadway Reviews.

The Inheritance Broadway Reviews | What The Critics Think

Here are some of the popular The Inheritance play reviews:

“Hilton lends a touching sweetness both to Forster (who obviously was never able to come out with the freedom of the young men presented here) and Walter; Levine expertly manages the very different dual roles of Adam and Leo, sometimes within the same scene; and Soller provides just the same steady, true presence here as did Emma Thompson in the more literal Howards End adaptation on film. Bob Crowley's set is simplicity itself, a large slab around which the actors sit and observe when not actively involved in the scenes. Daldry's direction is equally economical, focused on the movement of the actors as their characters conduct their awkward romantic dances.”
- The Hollywood Reporter on the 2018 Young Vic Production

“Transferring from a wildly successful Young Vic run to the West End, Matthew Lopez’s ‘The Inheritance’ is, in some ways, an unlikely success story. Like Tony Kushner’s ‘Angels in America’, it’s an epic of gay life in New York that’s more than seven hours long (and told in two parts). But there’s no sweeping, magical realist bombast here. Director Stephen Daldry has crafted something softer and more intimate: a stage full of men who narrate their intertwining lives with honesty and gentle wit."
- TimeOut on the 2018 West End Production

“Watching this two-part, seven-hour saga of modern gay life in New York is like immersing yourself in a great novel. That’s partly because the American playwright Matthew Lopez has created characters who are flawed, fascinating, funny, self-aware and self-destructive in a way more lifelike than theatre normally has the skill or the space to manage. And that’s partly because Lopez has based his story on a great novel: Howards End by EM Forster."
- The Times on the 2018 West End Production

Note: Broadway Reviews of The Inheritance will be updated as and when they become available.

The Inheritance Broadway Reviews | Why You Must Watch The Show!

Just like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Inheritance is also presented in two parts which need to be seen together for the story to make sense. The London production of The Inheritance won the Olivier Award for Best New Play and expectations for the Broadway production are at an all-time high. This is also because the creative talents behind the Broadway production are the same as the West End production, bringing an unmatched authenticity to the whole thing.

A modern adaptation of E.M. Foster's work Howard's End, The Inheritance has been adapted for the stage by Mathew Lopez. Two-time Tony and three-time Olivier Award-winning director, Stephen Daldry has directed the masterpiece with set and costume design by Bob Crowley. The Inheritance features a talented ensemble featuring Jordan Barbour, Jonathan Burke, Andrew Burnap, Darry Gene Daughtry Jr, Dylan Frederick, and Kyle Harris. With an opening date set for 17th November 2019, The Inheritance is shaping up to be a truly remarkable time at the theatre.

Recommended For

Fans of Matthew Lopez | Lovers of Social Dramas

The Inheritance Part 1 - Tickets

The Inheritance Part 2 - Tickets

About Ethel Barrymore Theatre

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre, located at 243 West 47th Street in Midtown Manhattan, is named after acclaimed actress Ethel Barrymore. The Barrymore Theatre is the only surviving venue from the many theatres built by the Shuberts, with its first production, The Kingdom of God, opening on December 20th 1928. Over its decade long existence, the Barrymore Theatre has hosted iconic productions like Death Takes A Holiday, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie and more recently, The Band's Visit.

Seating Capacity & Orientation

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre has a total seating capacity of 1,368. These seats are divided into three sections, orchestra, front mezzanine and rear mezzanine. There are 24 seats available in boxes as well.

Orchestra Level: The orchestra level has 582 seats in total, making it the biggest seating section in the house. These seats are spread across 19 rows from AA to R.

Front Mezzanine Level: The first of two elevated levels in the theatre, the front mezzanine has only 196 seats. With only 5 seats (A to E), the front mezzanine is the smallest seating section in the house.

Rear Mezzanine Level: The last major seating section in the Barrymore Theatre is the rear mezzanine. This elevated section has 256 seats in total which are spread across 7 rows from A to G.

Value-for-money seats: In the center mezzanine, any seat in rows C to F, and in center orchestra, any seat in rows F to O is considered value for money.

Premium seats: If you're looking for the best seats in the house, opt for any seats in rows E to J. Avoid the front couple of rows since they are too close to the stage, which is at a height.

Essential Tips

• Avoid booking seats in the rear mezzanine. The Barrymore Theatre is pretty small and seats can get cramped, especially in the last section of the theater.
• Since the entrance to the theatre is small, the check-in process takes longer than usual. Arrive at the theatre at least 45 minutes before the performance is scheduled to start.
• Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management. Make sure you're not late.
• Hearing assistance is available for patrons with a hearing disability. Reach out to the staff for assistance.

For more detailed seating chart info, click here.

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