EVERYBODY to Open at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center

The Adelphi University Performing Arts Center will present Everybody, a modern comedy by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, from November 4 to 8, 2026, in the Olmsted Theatre.

Updating Everyman, the quintessential Medieval morality play-a religious allegory about death and salvation originally performed in public places during church festivals-Jacobs-Jenkins renames traditional characters Fellowship, Kindred, Goods, Discretion, Five Wits, and Knowledge as Friendship, Kinship, Stuff, Mind, Five Senses, and Understanding. Rather than Good Deeds following the title character to the grave, that role is taken by Love.

Directed by Naima Warden, the narrative unfolds with pre-recorded voiceover scenes depicting four of Everybody's friends comforting them at their deathbed. While focused on mortality, the play delivers an absurdly fun experience by combining small extracts and echoes from the original text with brilliant, modern writing.