Daniel Fish’s ‘Kramer/Fauci’ Revives 1993 AIDS Crisis Clash in Off-Broadway Run

Key points

• The play is based on a November 30, 1993, C-SPAN broadcast featuring Larry Kramer and Anthony Fauci.
• Daniel Fish directs the production, which opened at St. Ann’s Warehouse on October 4, 2026.
• Thomas Jay Ryan portrays Kramer, while Will Brill plays Fauci, with Greig Sargeant as moderator Steve Scully.
• The staging uses a triangular spatial arrangement to symbolize the dynamic between the activist, the scientist, and the public.
• The run continues through October 24, 2026, following a world premiere at NYU Skirball Center in 2025.

Background

This production follows the 2025 world premiere at NYU Skirball Center. It arrives amid renewed public scrutiny of Anthony Fauci’s role in pandemic response and ongoing debates about government health policy. The archive notes no direct prior coverage of this specific play, but highlights broader trends in public health discourse and historical documentation.

How outlets are covering it

Vulture’s Sara Holdren praises the production as a 'heroic paradox' that forces audiences to confront historical neglect, highlighting the emotional intensity of Ryan’s performance and the symbolic staging. The Guardian’s review emphasizes the 'extraordinary hour' of dialogue, noting Fish’s theatricalization of the transcript and the mutual respect between Kramer and Fauci despite their clashes. Playbill aggregates reviews, confirming the cast and production details, while noting the Off-Broadway opening. In contrast, Theater Pizzazz’s Stuart Miller criticizes the play for lacking dramatic depth, arguing that the verbatim format results in repetitive, circular dialogue without sufficient context to judge the validity of the arguments. Miller also questions the effectiveness of surreal staging elements, such as the inflatable chicken suit and soap bubbles, in a fact-driven debate.

Why it matters

The production serves as a timely reminder of the AIDS crisis’s impact and the ongoing tension between activist urgency and bureaucratic caution in public health. By re-staging a 1993 debate, it draws parallels to contemporary pandemic responses and political polarization, urging audiences to reflect on historical lessons and current health policy challenges.

What to watch

The play will continue its run at St. Ann’s Warehouse through October 24, 2026. Future developments may include potential expansions or tours, given the strong critical reception and historical relevance. Audiences are encouraged to view the production to engage with the archival dialogue and its contemporary implications.