Amy and the Orphans
Written by Lindsey Ferrentino
Directed by Scott Ellis
Roundabout: Laura Pels Theatre
March 20, 2018
Production website
💉💉💉💉 out of 5.

Amy and the Orphans was damn near the best show I have seen in a long time.  I know there are those who do not value the comedy and would only say that ratings of 💉💉💉💉 ro 💉💉💉💉💉 must go to a drama – because of their profundity, but I disagree!  A great night in the theatre is a great night in the theatre!

I have to admit that part of my reason in going to see Amy and the Orphans was to see how a woman with Down Syndrome would actually work out in a full theatrical production.  My very limited experience with those living with Down Syndrome convinced me that this was impossible.  But I was wrong! Jaime Brewer was simply wonderful in this production – and not because of living with Down Syndrome.  She would have been wonderful without it.  She and the play truly rose above just being a vehicle to showcase an actress with Down Syndrome.

What I loved so much about this play was it’s sense of humor and the fresh look it takes on the dynamics of a dysfunctional family now trying to work its way into being whole – although admittedly upon their parent’s burial.  This play could have been so trite and so cliche with a bickering brother and sister, a “disabled” sibling and a LONG car ride to the dad’s funeral BUT again no — all was so fresh.  I, in fact, who see a LOT of theatre have not laughed so much in the theatre in years!  Debra Monk is simply fabulous and brought the house down in every line and move through the story.

The choice, made in the 1950’s to place your child with Down Syndrome in a home for their “best interest” or simply to get them out of sight and out of mind was a very real choice for MANY families.  Likely they never stepped in those institutional homes to see what kind of environment their child was kept – preferring the institution to just bring the child to the parking lot for the infrequent trip to the movie theatre.  It is easy to vilify those parents – but sometimes people do the best they can with the information they have at the moment.  Thank God that things have changed!

Amy does go through this awful institution and then finds a much more affirming place to spend her adult years where she works a job, has several friends and even has a steady boyfriend.  Her life is good. The siblings, arriving on the death of their father to take Amy with them to the funeral, are drawing in guilt and feel they must rescue Amy and take her home.  But Amy doesn’t need to go anywhere.  Injustice was done to her as a child – but she has moved on.  And honestly she doesn’t even know her family of origin.  She has a family of choice  – – and that is where she needs to stay – that is where she is home – that is where she will never be an orphan.