#2
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:35pm
The Guardian
The Balusters review – a Pulitzer-winning playwright returns with mixed results
3 stars
Samuel J Friedman Theatre, New York
Rabbit Hole writer David Lindsay-Abaire takes on a list of modern American conflicts in a fun, if ultimately underdeveloped, comedy drama
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/apr/22/the-balusters-broadway-review
"Even more egregious, several emotional turns depend on offstage action that, through its on-stage unveiling, feel like cheap gotchas. Is this a multifaceted discussion or a series of cute writers’ tricks? The Balusters feels more like the latter – which makes it both more fun and less resonant than it probably should be."
Updated On: 4/21/26 at 09:35 PM
#3
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:36pm
NYT Critic's Pick from Shaw
Review: In ‘The Balusters,’ Neighborly Dysfunction Is on the Agenda
David Lindsay-Abaire’s comedy about a wealthy homeowners association thrown into disarray makes a case for the same social compact it skewers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/theater/the-balusters-review.html
"This psychological delicacy comes as no surprise: Lindsay-Abaire wrote one of our most persuasive dramas on social collision, “Good People,” which explores the two ends of the class struggle in New England. I may have quibbles with the way his plot here unfolds, particularly the way it incorporates Luz, whose circumstances must be manipulated in unrealistic ways. But all boulevard comedies lean on coincidence, and I guess that applies even when the boulevard is a residential esplanade. (I laughed while I watched “The Balusters”; I only grumbled while thinking about it hours later.)"
#4
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:37pm
Theatermania
Review: The Balusters Is the Most Fun You’ll Ever Have at an HOA Meeting
https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-the-balusters-is-the-most-fun-youll-ever-have-at-an-hoa-meeting_1833619/
"While the play is taking shots at everyone for everything, the “woke” younger generations get dumped on the most. But, by virtue of time, the youth always win. That’s the way of it here, though the play’s final moments suggest that the new guard is as corrupt as the old, and class solidarity beats all other kinds. This message requires a character shift that didn’t work for me, but made for a great debate topic with my companion afterwards.'
#5
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:38pm
NY Stage Review
The Balusters: Love Thy Rule-Following, Historically Appropriate Neighbor
By Melissa Rose Bernardo
April 21, 2026
★★★★☆ Kenny Leon directs David Lindsay-Abaire’s new comedy about a neighborhood association gone wrong
https://nystagereview.com/2026/04/21/the-balusters-love-thy-rule-following-historically-appropriate-neighbor/
The Balusters: There Goes the Neighborhood
By Frank Scheck
April 21, 2026
★★★★☆ A series of neighborhood association meetings turns contentious in David Lindsay-Abaire's hilarious comedy
https://nystagereview.com/2026/04/21/the-balusters-there-goes-the-neighborhood/
#6
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:39pm
Variety
‘The Balusters’ Broadway Review: Anika Noni Rose, Richard Thomas Star in Brilliant and Brutally Funny Look at a Dysfunctional Neighborhood Association
Critics Pick
https://variety.com/2026/legit/news/balusters-broadway-review-anika-noni-rose-richard-thomas-brilliant-comedy-1236726809/
"Written by David Lindsay-Abaire with a keen understanding of human nature and directed by Kenny Leon with a master’s skill for building onstage drama to a fever pitch, “The Balusters,” which debuts tonight at Manhattan Theatre Club, may be the most vital and timely show on Broadway this season. It’s definitely the funniest."
#7
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:41pm
B- from Entertainment Weekly
The Balusters review: David Lindsay-Abaire's play about a homeowners association dabbles in sitcom stereotypes
https://ew.com/the-balusters-review-broadway-david-lindsay-abaire-11954567
"By the time The Balusters reaches its conclusion, the play has forced its characters and audience to explore the intricacies of racism, discrimination, privilege, and those annoying biases that we all contain, and asked the question of how we determine a bad person is a bad person. It's uncomfortable, hokey (in a respectable way, most of the time), and keen, although it could do with a bit of sharpening in some elements."
#8
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:41pm
Deadline
‘The Balusters’ Broadway Review: Richard Thomas And Anika Noni Rose Battle Thy Neighbor In David Lindsay-Abaire Comedy
https://deadline.com/2026/04/the-balusters-broadway-review-1236865780/
"Hell hath no fury like a well-intentioned self-appointed watchdog challenged, as David Lindsay-Abaire’s new ensemble comedy The Balusters reminds us. We’ve seen this group dynamic before – in real life possibly, but on stage definitely, most recently in the brilliant Eureka Day and surreal The Minutes – and if the excellently cast play opening tonight on Broadway in a Manhattan Theatre Club production doesn’t add significantly to the committee-implosion genre it certainly has its fun along the way to its comeuppances."
#9
Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:45pm
Vulture
In The Balusters, the Trash Cans Are All Neatly Lined Up
https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-review-the-balusters-lindsay-abaire-anika-noni-rose.html
"It’s cleverly devised, although for a play about the corrupting influence of obsessing over peace and quiet it’s more than a tad pat. Though Lindsay-Abaire lingers on the idea that everyone has their own blind spots, he allows one character to become more villainous than most and another to emerge as near saintly. It’s a tidy conclusion, complete with a sturdy button of a kiss-off line. The play’s clean lines weaken it, letting it speed uninterrupted, like a car along that esplanade, toward judgment and satisfaction. There’s something to be said for disrupting the picturesque, and stopping traffic."
#10
Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:37pm
DTLI Consensus: Feast your eyes on the funniest board meeting in the Broadway neighborhood.
9 positive (including the NYT), 5 mixed.
https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/the-balusters/
“I am furious, but I am sailing.”
#11
Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:58pm
BWW - 79.4 % THE BALLUSTERS reviews
BWW review analysis percentages:
NEW MUSICAL - 6 : Titanique (74.8, Schmigadoon! (74.2), Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) (73.5), The Queen of Versailles (40.0).
MUSICAL REVIVAL - 5 : Cats - The Jellicle Ball (90.0), Ragtime (82.4), Mamma Mia! (68.0), Chess (62.8
NEW PLAY - 8 : Little Bear Ridge Road (90.0), Liberation (89.3), The Ballusters (79.4), Giant (77.2), Punch (71.9), Call Me Izzy (65.0), Fear of 13 (58.4), Dog Day Afternoon (51.3).
REVIVAL OF A PLAY - 11 : Marjorie Prime (84.7), Becky Shaw (84.4), Oedipus (84.3), Death Of A Salesman (84.1), Bug (80.6), Every Brilliant Thing (79.1), Fallen Angels (75.3), Proof (71.3), Art (69.0), Waiting For Godot (67.4).
* UPCOMING OPENINGS * - 4
Beaches (Wed), The Rocky Horror Show (Thus), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Sat), The Lost Boys (Sun -with the most combined rehearsal/tech/preview period)
Updated On: 4/22/26 at 11:58 PM
#12
Posted: 4/22/26 at 1:01am
CoffeeBreak said: "BWW-80.7% THE BALLUSTERS reviews
BWW review analysis percentages:
NEW MUSICAL- 6: Titanique (74.8, Schmigadoon! (74.2), Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)(73.5),The Queen of Versailles (40.0).
MUSICAL REVIVAL- 5:Cats -The Jellicle Ball (90.0), Ragtime (82.4), Mamma Mia! (68.0), Chess (62.8
NEW PLAY- 8: Little Bear Ridge Road (90.0), Liberation (89.3), The Ballusters (80.7), Giant (77.2), Punch (71.9), Call Me Izzy (65.0),Fear of 13 (58.4), Dog Day Afternoon (51.3).
REVIVAL OF A PLAY- 11: Marjorie Prime (84.7), Becky Shaw (84.4), Oedipus (84.3),Death Of A Salesman(84.1), Bug (80.6), Every Brilliant Thing (79.1), Fallen Angels (75.3), Proof (71.3), Art (69.0),Waiting For Godot (67.4).
* UPCOMING OPENINGS *- 4
Beaches (Wed),The Rocky Horror Show (Thus), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Sat), The Lost Boys (Sun -with the mostcombinedrehearsal/tech/preview period)"
Technically, now it's at 79.4 -- but what's 1.3 between friends! (It might if Oedipus is ruled not a revival.) And interesting that it's slightly better reviewed than Giant.
Updated On: 4/22/26 at 01:01 AM
#13
Posted: 4/22/26 at 1:13am
This just may took PUNCH out of Best Play category, but I believe the winner still is either LIBERATION or GIANT, leaning to Giant because it's open even tho Liberation most likely it's our Pulitzer winner.
Marylouise Burke also may get a Tony nom, but don't know if she can beat Metcalf or Emond.
#14
Posted: 4/22/26 at 8:31am
@TheatreMonkey except Oedipus has already been ruled a revival. Robert Icke will appear on the ballot in the Play Revival category for his adaptation.
Best Play will surely consist of Liberation, Giant, The Balusters, and Little Bear Ridge Road. Punch would be next in line but I’m not sure it’s strong enough to take out any of these four despite its Olivier win.
#15
Posted: 4/22/26 at 11:19am
Appreciate the clarification -- I tried looking up the Tony nomination rulings, but couldn't find it!
#16
Posted: 4/22/26 at 1:43pm
77 on Broadway Scorecard, recommended.
"Lindsay-Abaire's comedy about a contentious HOA meeting earns strong reviews for its sharp ensemble cast and witty take on local politics, though some critics find its social commentary heavy-handed or too familiar."
https://broadwayscorecard.com/show/the-balusters
“I am furious, but I am sailing.”
#17
Posted: 4/22/26 at 4:29pm
damn these tickets are SO expensive for not having a big star attached. The reviews certainly have me interested but the prices are so high. Friedman isn't one of my favorite theaters on top of having to spend close to big celeb star money on a play...sigh
#18
Posted: 5/5/26 at 10:33pm
This was, bar none, the hardest I have laughed at MTC in some time, and I saw EUREKA DAY last season. David Lindsay-Abaire is one of our more underrated 21st century writers.
If anything, go to this just to catch Margaret Colin and especially Marylouise Burke deliver some A+ zingers for nearly two hours. (7:08 start, 8:58 blackout tonight)
Warm entrance applause tonight for Anika Noni Rose (compassionate performance), Richard Thomas, and Burke.
Did anyone else catch the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Tesori reference in the penultimate scene?
This isn’t trying to be anything groundbreaking, it’s just a good old comedic crowd-pleaser and everyone there today was eating it up.
“I am furious, but I am sailing.”
#19
Posted: 5/12/26 at 4:36pm
I think it's the least interesting work I've seen from David Lindsay-Abaire but still very entertaining.
I very american play discussing themes that goes from racism, elitism and gender. Some ways to create a laugh are questionable, but I did laugh a lot so what can I say LOL
Anika Noni Rose is a centered human being that brings a quality that not every actress have, she has peace and war at the same time with so little changes in her body/face.
Burke was a laugh riot and Richard Thomas was so good I wondering if I was siding with the wrong people.
Kenny Leon's transition could be better tho, that Tony nom was not deserved.
Also, before entering one woman asked an usher if there would be an english accent in the play and when informed that there isn't she said ''thank you, don't understand why we have so many'' and I still don't get the response.
And they do a mention about ''bolo de fubá'' had me cackling, wtf was David getting this reference from.
#20
Posted: 5/12/26 at 11:39pm
Went back for a second viewing tonight and had a lot of fun. I love this cast and Lindsay-Abaire’s writing. I thought the transitions were smoother. A definite favorite for the season.
#21
Posted: 5/13/26 at 3:03am
an absolute delight. one of my favorite shows of this season and many others come to think of it
#22
Posted: 5/16/26 at 12:26am
I thought this was good, but not great.
The performances are all around solid, with Anika and Richard being the standouts among the cast (Marylouise was out), and the material is funny and interesting. But it's mostly retreading talking points I'm well familiar with, and in my opinion it "all-sides"-es its issues a little too much. I wonder if MTC was the right place to put this on -- the audience the night I went was laughing and clapping at some rather clearly inappropriate points, seeming to sympathize with the white establishment more than anyone else. I do agree with the thesis of the show, but I think DLA was too allowing to the other side of the argument in the process of getting there. It also ran rather long, getting out around 125 minutes after the start time. I think it could've been trimmed down a bit. But not a bad night at the theater by any stretch.
#23
Posted: 5/16/26 at 12:21pm
FightTheDragons said: "I thought this was good, but not great.
The performances are all around solid, with Anika and Richard being the standouts among the cast (Marylouise was out), and the material is funny and interesting. But it's mostly retreading talking points I'm well familiar with, and in my opinion it "all-sides"-es its issues a little too much. I wonder if MTC was the right place to put this on -- the audience the night I went was laughing and clapping at some rather clearly inappropriate points, seeming to sympathize with the white establishment more than anyone else. I do agree with the thesis of the show, but I think DLA was too allowing to the other side of the argument in the process of getting there. It also ran rather long, getting out around 125 minutes after the start time. I think it could've been trimmed down a bit. But not a bad night at the theater by any stretch."
Marylouise was the standout for me, it is a shame you didn't get to see her. I found it funny, there were some good laugh lines. Themes we have recently seen before.
#24
Posted: 5/16/26 at 1:01pm
FightTheDragons said: " I wonder if MTC was the right place to put this on -- the audience the night I went was laughing and clapping at some rather clearly inappropriate points, seeming to sympathize with the white establishment more than anyone else. I do agree with the thesis of the show, but I think DLA was too allowing to the other side of the argument in the process of getting there.”
I’m curious as to think where this would’ve been a better fit? Considering the fact most people outside of that subscription bubble didn’t know this show existed until recently tells me that a commercial run would’ve decimated a large ensemble comedy like this in short order. Unfortunately, most subscription bases are primarily white and of financial means to go to the theatre.
Also, sometimes laughter comes out of a place of discomfort as opposed to actually finding something humorous, so it’s hard to assume people reacting at different moments is “inappropriate”
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#25
Posted: 5/17/26 at 8:22am
I just saw this tonight. Loved it, it’s genuinely laugh out loud funny. I thought it was dramatic and exciting enough to warrant being a play. I understand the argument about it retreading talking points we’re familiar with. This is how I felt the entire time about Giant, which, to me, just felt like a waste of time. You could hear that debate literally anywhere and everywhere. I think The Balusters is a great American play like Liberation and The Minutes. I don’t have an issue at all with the sympathizing with the white establishment moments because the setting we’re talking about here is a historically white town. Just like the play Good Bones is about a black town that’s being gentrified and you hear about the black characters reasons for or against.
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