Published by Samuel French Inc - Recipient of Catalyst Award for Entertainment Industry Excellence
Synopsis
Estranged siblings Maggie and Jake may be adults, but when their elderly father dies, they still wish a “grown up” could sort it all out. Their biggest worry: How to break the bad news to their sister Amy, a person with Down syndrome who has lived in a state home for years. The three siblings find out just how much they don’t know about their family and each other. It seems only Amy knows who she really is.
Character Breakdown
4 F, 2 M
*Requires one actor with Down syndrome
World Premiere Production
Roundabout Theater Company - World Premiere
Reviews
Ms. Ferrentino possesses a muscular empathy which seeks to enter the minds of people for whom life is often a struggle of heroic proportions. It was Ms. Ferrentino who insisted that an actress with Down syndrome be cast as Amy in her latest play. Insightful. Defiant. Remarkable... heart broken resonance.
- Ben Brantley, The New York Times
Barrier-Breaking.
- Sopan Deb, The New York Times
Amy and the Orphans features enough hilarious one-liners to fuel a Neil Simon comedy. A riotous, audacious blend of pathos and humor. There's a powerful beating heart in Lindsey Ferrentino's writing. A play that boasts a rich, aching humanity.
- Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
The writer is savvy about building her characters. She cunningly inserts little traits shared by the parents and their offspring that credibly dovetail to touching effect. Amy and the Orphans takes audiences on a swift trip to greater awareness. Smoothly paced. Funny and thoughtful. Dedicating this play to her late aunt, Amy Jacobs, who had Down syndrome, Ferrentino notes that she “is missed for who she was and for who she could have been.” Amy and the Orphans proves to be an endearing new play that wisely reminds us of that all-important dictum: to treat others with as much respect and consideration as we’d like ourselves to be treated.
- Michael Sommers, The Village Voice
Much more significant is that [Lindsey Ferrentino] lifts the play from its sitcom comfort level by turning Amy into the edgiest character on stage. Ferrentino’s play rolls along so effortlessly. The playwright has a bomb up her sleeve, and when she decides to detonate it, much deeper levels of fear and apprehension are immediately revealed. Ferrentino achieves something equally remarkable. She has written a play about abuse in which there are only survivors and no obvious villains.
- Robert Hofler, The Wrap
An astonishing play that is likely to alter your preconceptions. This touching drama questions the bonds of family and limits of love.
- Roma Torre, NY1
Hopefully theater artists and producers will recognize the ground Brewer and Ferrentino have broken and press on, creating more opportunities for actors with disabilities to have the moments in the sun they truly deserve.
- David Gordon, Theater Mania
Awards
Catalyst Award for Entertainment Industry Excellence
Synopsis
Estranged siblings Maggie and Jake may be adults, but when their elderly father dies, they still wish a “grown up” could sort it all out. Their biggest worry: How to break the bad news to their sister Amy, a person with Down syndrome who has lived in a state home for years. The three siblings find out just how much they don’t know about their family and each other. It seems only Amy knows who she really is.
Character Breakdown
4 F, 2 M
*Requires one actor with Down syndrome
World Premiere Production
Roundabout Theater Company - World Premiere
Reviews
Ms. Ferrentino possesses a muscular empathy which seeks to enter the minds of people for whom life is often a struggle of heroic proportions. It was Ms. Ferrentino who insisted that an actress with Down syndrome be cast as Amy in her latest play. Insightful. Defiant. Remarkable... heart broken resonance.
- Ben Brantley, The New York Times
Barrier-Breaking.
- Sopan Deb, The New York Times
Amy and the Orphans features enough hilarious one-liners to fuel a Neil Simon comedy. A riotous, audacious blend of pathos and humor. There's a powerful beating heart in Lindsey Ferrentino's writing. A play that boasts a rich, aching humanity.
- Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
The writer is savvy about building her characters. She cunningly inserts little traits shared by the parents and their offspring that credibly dovetail to touching effect. Amy and the Orphans takes audiences on a swift trip to greater awareness. Smoothly paced. Funny and thoughtful. Dedicating this play to her late aunt, Amy Jacobs, who had Down syndrome, Ferrentino notes that she “is missed for who she was and for who she could have been.” Amy and the Orphans proves to be an endearing new play that wisely reminds us of that all-important dictum: to treat others with as much respect and consideration as we’d like ourselves to be treated.
- Michael Sommers, The Village Voice
Much more significant is that [Lindsey Ferrentino] lifts the play from its sitcom comfort level by turning Amy into the edgiest character on stage. Ferrentino’s play rolls along so effortlessly. The playwright has a bomb up her sleeve, and when she decides to detonate it, much deeper levels of fear and apprehension are immediately revealed. Ferrentino achieves something equally remarkable. She has written a play about abuse in which there are only survivors and no obvious villains.
- Robert Hofler, The Wrap
An astonishing play that is likely to alter your preconceptions. This touching drama questions the bonds of family and limits of love.
- Roma Torre, NY1
Hopefully theater artists and producers will recognize the ground Brewer and Ferrentino have broken and press on, creating more opportunities for actors with disabilities to have the moments in the sun they truly deserve.
- David Gordon, Theater Mania
Awards
Catalyst Award for Entertainment Industry Excellence
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Research Paper from CUNY Graduate Center on Amy and the Orphans 
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