The definitive performance. Bring your tissues.

The Inheritance is one of the best American plays ever written, a sprawling, episodic drama series in play form that will have deep resonance with the LGBT world, and to anyone processing the loss of a loved one. But at over 6 hours over two nights, it was hard to recommend and hard for people to see (not to mention expensive). The production at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse, which featured a new, realistically diverse cast (it does take place in NYC) and the same gorgeous minimalist staging of its COVID-truncated Broadway run, was considered by many critics to be the definitive version. I saw it twice. Both nights. It left a deep mark on me. I was a little heartbroken that its run was so short, or I would've gladly seen it a third time.

I was elated to hear that Audible was preserving this production in audiobook form. While normally plays would lose quite a bit in this format, The Inheritance emerges nearly intact, as its action is largely narrated by its characters. (The lack of physicality also cuts over an hour from its running time.) And I am so grateful to hear these characters again. From Juan Castano's brash, needy, overcompensating Toby, to Adam Kantor's gentle, unassuming Eric, to Bill Brochtrup's reassuring E.M. Forster and his closed off Walter. Special attention must be paid to Bradley James Tejeda in a double role as both ambitious young actor Adam and shut down sex worker Leo. In a work filled with superlative performances, this is one I utterly fell in love with. While some characters keep the staginess of their stage performance, Tejeda adjusts seamlessly to the more subtle performance demanded of a recording booth. He is one to watch.

This play moved me deeply. It reminded me of all of the dear friends I'd lost, and made me refocus on how I want to live out the rest of my life, what's important to me, and most importantly, who is important to me. I'll be grateful to everyone involved in its telling for the rest of my days.

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3 people found this helpful

Amazing. Mesmerizing.

It took me a second to realize that the narrators’ dialogue was mingled in with the story the first few minutes. Binged this book in a single day. Looking forward to listening to it again to jot down some of the powerful quotes I missed at the beginning.

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2 people found this helpful

Emotionally expansive & powerful!

A sweeping, multi generational, intricate and layered narrative on gay life in a less-than-accepting world.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellence in Theatre

I have nothing bad to say about this piece. Matthew Lopez is a brialliant storyteller. Each character in Inheritance is beautifully realized and brilliantly performed by its talented cast. Its equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. The sequence where Trumps America is compared to an HIV infected body is particularly eloquent. I cannot recommend checking this one out enough. You wont regret it.

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1 person found this helpful

Amazingly funny and realistic

It grabbed me at first bc it was hilarious and then it got steamy and then it got reeeal
It’s a really great play/story.

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1 person found this helpful

Finished in one sitting

Absolutely beautiful story performed by an extraordinary cast, congratulations to everyone involved! Recently finished the Great Believers and very happy I came across this play so soon after.

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1 person found this helpful

I lost track of who was who, but didn't care!

Unbelievably witty, sad, truth telling of the bravest & most devastating time for gay men.

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Beautiful

I am so glad a recording exists of this extraordinary play. I enjoyed listening to it immensely.

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The beautiful writing and performance of this spectacular play was everything I wanted!

I have been waiting for this work to be on audible! I have loved this play ever since I first read it when it first came out. Listening to the dynamic performances come to life with this cast was something else! If you want to be moved and feel like you are a part of gay history that has been and needs to continue to be told, listen this this play!

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A great story, great actors, funny, heartfelt and emotional

I initially didn’t care for it because of all the catty, stereotypical gay behavior which, by the way, was perfectly portrayed by the actors so I have to hand it to them. It was a hard book to put down, even if, or perhaps because the characters seemed annoying, self serving or obnoxious.
You find yourself lost in the story of each character (like them or not) and you realize where the story is going as it winds its way to the conclusion. The last 40 minutes of the book tore my heart out and I unfortunately listened to that part right before I had to leave for work so I was mopping tears off of my face and hoping it didn’t still show when I got there.
I immediately messaged my cousin and recommended the book.

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