The world premiere of Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s “The Humanities” at Victory Gardens Theater, directed by Edward Torres, explores the chaos surrounding a controversial speaker invited to a prestigious university. However, the play struggles with clarity and coherence, often delving into character relationships that fail to contribute meaningfully to the narrative.
Ayers Dohrn attempts to address the tensions from inviting a right-wing speaker, yet the execution feels muddled. The structure, organized into five “books,” doesn’t effectively guide the audience through the unfolding drama, often turning the audience into passive “students” absorbing lectures rather than engaging with the storyline.
Key characters include Martin Honnager, who invites the problematic speaker Luka Jarry, and his wife Margot, who critiques art through a feminist lens. The play features diverse themes, touching on identity, race, and political tensions, but the treatment is uneven. Characters like the troubled Jonas Sorel and the protest organizer Hampton Walker contribute to a sense of complexity, although they often feel confined by archetypal roles.
Despite its noteworthy themes—mattering to contemporary societal issues—the play seems underdeveloped. With better staging and a more focused narrative, “The Humanities” could resonate more effectively, akin to Ayers Dohrn’s past work. Comparisons to other plays with similar themes highlight its current shortcomings, suggesting that “The Humanities” has significant room for improvement.
