Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Aigner Mizzelle and Okieriete Onaodowan are heart-stopping in Ngozi Anyanwu‘s deeply affecting THE MONSTERS

• By drediman
• February 26, 2026
• No Comments

This week, I was able to catch up with Manhattan Theatre Club and Two River Theater’s Off-Broadway world premiere co-production of The Monsters, Ngozi Anyanwu‘s extremely affecting two-hander that centers around the complicated relationship between two damaged siblings, Big and Lil (big brother and little sister), who also both happen to pursue careers as professional fighters in the Mixed Martial Arts circuit. After an estrangement of sixteen years, the two — once tightly knit as young children and adolescents — are reunited and tentatively embark upon a rocky second chapter of their relationship. As the play unfolds, the action cuts to numerous flashbacks depicting their difficult home life as children, helping us to piece together their fractured emotional and psychological states as adults.

Anyanwu (who also directs) has written a powerful play that captures the essence of codependent siblibg relationships. There are many layers baked into their volatile and highly sensitive love/hate exchanges, which the playwright astutely navigates by smartly eschewing melodrama in favor of utter honesty. As Lil’s skill, ambition, and confidence escalates as a competitor in the ring and Big approaches the twilight of his career, the power dynamics between them start shifting, their interactions becoming increasingly fraught with resentment and jealousy until each of them reaches a breaking point. The overall vibe calls to mind Heated Rivalry, but involving siblings instead of lovers. I applaud Anyanwu for taking her time with the storytelling and character development, which allows the relationship between the richly-written characters to evolve in a patient and organic manner.

Lil and Big are played with heart-stopping depth and humanity by Aigner Mizzelle and Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan (of Hamilton fame), respectively. Mizzelle is all infectiously extroverted excitability, while Onaodowan is forlornly moored in pained and moody introspection. Suffice to say, the chemistry between these troubled souls — each grappling with their own demons — is electric and palpable. The play concludes in a gorgeous and well-earned full circle moment that had many in the audience in tears. Contributing to the authenticity of it all is the thrilling Mixed Martial Arts fight choreography sprinkled throughout (depicting the two characters in both training and competition), which the Mizzelle and Onaodowan execute with passion and impressive physical intensity.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

THE MONSTERS
Off-Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center
1 hour, 40 minutes (without an intermission)
Through March 22