The Inheritance

Written by Matthew Lopez
Awards:

  • Olivier Award for Best New Play (2019)

  • Tony Award for Best Play (2020)

Synopsis
Inspired by E.M. Forster’s Howards End, The Inheritance is a two-part epic that examines the lives of gay men in New York City across generations. The story centers on a group of young friends navigating love, loss, and ambition in a post-AIDS epidemic era. Through their connections to an older generation affected by the crisis, the play explores the legacies of trauma, the power of chosen family, and the responsibilities of living authentically. With its sweeping narrative and profound emotional depth, The Inheritance is a moving reflection on community, identity, and the bonds that unite us.

Themes and Analysis

  • Legacy and Generational Connection: The play grapples with the impact of the AIDS epidemic on contemporary gay life, examining how one generation’s struggles shape the next.

  • Love and Betrayal: From romantic entanglements to friendships tested by jealousy and ambition, The Inheritance dives into the complexities of relationships.

  • The Role of Storytelling: Through its structure and direct address to the audience, the play underscores the importance of sharing stories to preserve history and foster empathy.

  • Privilege and Responsibility: The characters confront their own privileges and the question of how to honor those who paved the way for their freedoms.

Key Moments

  • Walter’s House: The emotional centerpiece of the story, Walter’s home becomes a haven for men dying of AIDS. Its transformation over time symbolizes the loss and resilience of the community.

  • Eric’s Speech: A poignant monologue about the responsibility to remember and honor the past, encapsulating the play’s central themes.

  • The Climactic Confrontation: Tensions come to a head as secrets are revealed, forcing the characters to reevaluate their relationships and values.

Critical Reception
The Inheritance was hailed as a modern masterpiece upon its debut, praised for its ambition, emotional depth, and timely relevance. Critics celebrated Matthew Lopez’s ability to blend wit and pathos while addressing pressing issues of identity and community.

The Financial Times called it “perhaps the most important American play of this century,” while The Guardian described it as “a panoramic portrait of contemporary gay life.”

Why It Resonates Today
In a world still grappling with the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic and ongoing struggles for LGBTQ+ rights, The Inheritance serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community, empathy, and activism. Its exploration of privilege, trauma, and resilience is both deeply personal and universally relevant.

For Actors and Directors

  • Actors: The play offers a treasure trove of roles, from Eric’s heartfelt optimism to Toby’s tortured ambition and Walter’s quiet strength. Each character presents opportunities for actors to explore vulnerability and complexity.

  • Directors: Staging this epic requires skillful navigation of its emotional highs and lows, as well as a thoughtful approach to its fluid transitions and direct-address style.

Fun Facts

  • The Inheritance is one of the longest plays to win a Tony Award, with a runtime of nearly seven hours across two parts.

  • Matthew Lopez was inspired to write the play after rereading Howards End and recognizing its relevance to modern queer life.

  • The production premiered at London’s Young Vic before transferring to the West End and Broadway.