Human Race Theater Company’s final production of their 39th season is The Comeuppance by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. This dark comedy is rife with existential dread, generational malaise, and the lingering presence of Death itself. It is a fantastic production with a stellar ensemble cast, competent creative direction, and lightning quick writing. I loved it so much that I will probably see it twice.
The Plot
The setup is deceptively familiar: five friends, the self-proclaimed “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” (MERGE), gather on Ursula’s porch in suburban Maryland for a pre-game ahead of their 20-year high school reunion. There’s nostalgia, there’s weed, there’s jungle juice, and there is a whole lot of emotional baggage. Each character is a little battered by time and history. Ursula, the group’s gentle anchor, is losing her sight. Kristina, a military doctor, is numbing herself with alcohol. Caitlin is stuck in a marriage to a Capitol-storming ex-cop. Emilio, the artist, is prickly and adrift after years in self-imposed exile. And Paco, a traumatized veteran, is the outsider among outsiders. But this is much more than a “where are they now?” hangout. Once Death arrives, our longtime group of friends (and the audience) is reminded of their own mortality–and that the clock is ticking.
The Playwright
Jacobs-Jenkins is an acclaimed American playwright, a 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner, and a three-time Tony winner. His work blends wit, social critique and theatrical innovation to challenge and entertain audiences. The Comeuppance employs Brecht-ian elements with lightning fast beats and dialogue. It draws on shared contemporary experiences that include Columbine, 9/11, COVID lockdowns, January 6th, and a smorgasbord of all too familiar events that have shaped an aging generation of Millennials over the past 20 years. It was a mirror that I wasn’t expecting with multiple moments hitting HARD throughout the play.
The Cast
The ensemble cast expertly delivers Jacobs-Jenkins sharp writing beat after beat with dizzying speed, incredible humor, and uncomfortable revelations. Darnelle Pierre Benjamin delivers a layered performance as Emilio, the artist whose sharp wit and vulnerability anchor the group’s shifting dynamics. Erin Eva Butcher inhabits Caitlin with a blend of restlessness and regret, capturing the tensions of a character caught between nostalgia and the realities of adulthood. Rico Romalus Parker’s Paco is a veteran grappling with his outsider status and the haunting scars of his past.
Annie Pesch brings warmth and quiet strength to Ursula, the group’s steady center who is struggling with the deterioration of her own body. Lipica Shah’s Kristina crackles with emotional complexity as the military doctor numbing herself against the weight of the world. Andrew Ian Adams, as the voice of Simon, adds a haunting presence that underscores the plays themes of memory and mortality. Together, the cast navigates Jacobs-Jenkins’ blend of humor, heartbreak, and existential reckoning with remarkable chemistry and emotional honesty.
Creative and Production Team
HRT’s Creative and Production teams continue to deliver stunning work across the board. Under the direction of Latrelle Bright, the production balances the play’s humor and pathos with a deft touch. Scenic designer Tamara L. Honesty transforms the stage into Ursula’s porch, evoking the comfort of nostalgia and the passage of time, while Kelsey Gallagher’s lighting design subtly underscores the play’s shifting moods and moments of revelation. Kristie C. Osi’s costumes thoughtfully reflect each character’s history and personality, and Daniella Brown’s sound design brings in atmospheric details that heighten the play’s sense of presence. The attention to detail brings Jacobs-Jenkin’s vision to life and delivers a production that is both visually striking and emotionally compelling.
The Company
It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of The Human Race Theatre Company. One of my favorite regional companies in the area, the quality of productions, accessibility, and forward-thinking business practices make it easy, enjoyable, and refreshing to engage with. Under the Executive Directorship of Kappy Kilburn, Artistic Direction of Emily Wells, and Creative Production of Tara Lail, HRT delivers thought provoking, engaging work that is a testament to the company’s long standing run of 39 years.
Next season celebrates their 40th anniversary. Subscribe early as ticket sales for the 40th season are already underway, as per the curtain speech.
Tickets
The Comeuppance runs June 3-15th at The Human Race Theater Company. Purchase tickets by calling the DaytonLive box office at (937) 228-3630 or by visiting www.humanracetheatre.org.
Special Performances:
- Inside Track Thursday, June 5, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
- While We’re On The Subject Sunday, June 8, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
- $10/Sawbuck Sunday Sunday, June 8, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tickets at 6:00 pm
- While We’re On The Subject Sunday, June 15, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
- Parent’s Day Out Sunday, June 15, 2025 2 pm – Kids Separate Activities (5-12yo)
