'All Nighter' review — don’t sleep on this starry new play

Read our review of All Nighter off Broadway, a new play starring Kristine Froseth, Julia Lester, Havana Rose Liu, Alyah Chanelle Scott, and Kathryn Gallagher.

A group of college housemates pulling an all-nighter is stressful enough, but throw in some Red Bull, Adderall, and a whole lot of secrets, and it becomes a powder keg of drama. Natalie Margolin’s All Nighter brilliantly captures the frenetic energy of a group of college women sharing space and mining the complexities of friendship — all over tubs of hummus and notes for the psychology exam. It may be the best portrayal of college girls on stage ever.

The talented cast, featuring Kristine Froseth, Julia Lester, Havana Rose Liu, Alyah Chanelle Scott, and Kathryn Gallagher, masterfully portray the emotional rollercoaster of being college girls, from seeking approval, people-pleasing, and doling out sarcastic kindness.

Liu is particularly impactful as Lizzy, a student with visual processing issues who shares her Adderall prescription with the group, which they refer to as their “little blue friends.” She plays mediator to keep the peace among the group and performs the play’s most emotional scene. Lester is another standout as Wilma, an interloper to the core friend group who desperately seeks their companionship. Wilma injects the drama-filled group with hilarity, as she screams to command attention, breaks out into song, and descends into a full split.

Director Jaki Bradley’s staging highlights the tense dynamics of a group of girls, with scenes of them gathered around the table, while other moments show pairs splintering off to gossip behind each other’s backs. Amid the chatter and snacking, there are intense stretches of heads-down work, depicted through flickering lights, jerky hair flipping, and frantic typing set to rhythmic drum music. The audience howled everytime this burst of adrenaline hit the stage.

At the curtain call, I overhead a college student in the row behind me proclaim, “That is exactly what my study nights are like!” and I didn’t know whether to feel a pang of nostalgia for long-ago college days or sadness for this person who probably needs a good night’s sleep.

All Nighter summary

With one week until graduation, five housemates gather on campus for a final all-nighter to finish assignments and cram for exams. One has just discovered fraudulent charges on her card, another knows her best friend kissed her girlfriend at last night’s party, and another regrets a hookup. They’re all a bit hungover. Fueled by Adderall and mounting stress, the young women confront their anxieties, air grievances, and question their friendship as the night unfolds, with graduation looming on the horizon.

What to expect at All Nighter

To my audience's delight, Tony Award nominees Kathryn Gallagher (Jagged Little Pill) and Julia Lester (Into the Woods) showcase their vocal talents in a late-night jam session, featuring a lively rendition of Miley Cyrus's “Wrecking Ball.” Gallagher and Liu also share a sweet moment, singing a verse from “Into the Woods” during a study break.

All Nighter runs for 95 minutes with no intermission. The play includes drug use and discussions of sexual assault.

What audiences are saying about All Nighter

As of publication, All Nighter has an audience approval rating of 89% on Show-Score. Audience members praised the performances and script.

• “Even at a quick 90 minutes, the play feels like 20—the pace replicates and captures the exact feeling of being outside of reality at university—how time moves differently at transitional moments in our lives. How they fit so much character development in 90 minutes | will never understand. Every piece of the puzzle fits together in this play. If you're hesitating, please don't and watch these young stars shine.” - Anonymous Show-Score user
• “Excellent play. I took my son who is heading to college so it had a second level of connection for me. Even without that it had the right mix of drama and comedy. These young actresses did an amazing job.” - Show-Score user NYC NJ Family
• “A 90-minute pressure cooker with incredible performances by the five actresses. Loved!” - Show-Score user theatregoer2

Read more audience reviews of All Nighter on Show-Score.

Who should see All Nighter

• Anyone who enjoys stories about the complications of friendship between girls will like this play.
• Fans of the TV show The Sex Lives of College Girls will like this play; both are comedies about housemates starring Alyah Chanelle Scott.
• This play will appeal to those who enjoyed the comedy film Bottoms, about a group of girls who start a fight club in high school, featuring Havana Rose Liu.

Learn more about All Nighter off Broadway

All Nighter is an emotional rollercoaster, fueled by stimulants, that takes audiences through the complexities of friendship and campus life that might leave you nostalgic for your college days.

Learn more and get All Nighter tickets on New York Theatre Guide. All Nighter is at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space through May 18.

Photo credit: All Nighter off Broadway. (Photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)