The Monsters

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About the Show

A drama of estranged siblings reconnecting, written and directed by Ngozi Anyanwu.

In The Monsters: A Sibling Love Story, a young woman named Lil unexpectedly returns to the life of her estranged brother Big, a fading but locally famous MMA fighter. Having long followed his career from a distance, Lil arrives at his doorstep unannounced, stirring old memories, buried tensions, and unresolved questions. As the siblings grapple with their shared history and opposing paths, the play delves into themes of identity, rivalry, and the ties that endure between family members, even when love is complicated.

This world premiere is written and directed by Ngozi Anyanwu, known for Good Grief, The Homecoming Queen, and The Last of the Love Letters. Her work often explores familial bonds and cultural identity with emotional nuance and clarity. The two-hander features Aigner Mizzelle as Lil and Okieriete Onaodowan (Hamilton, Station 19) as Big, bringing intense performances to the intimate dynamic at the story’s core.

Presented by Manhattan Theatre Club in collaboration with Two River Theater, this production is staged Off-Broadway at New York City Center – Stage II as part of MTC’s 2025–26 season. Continuing the company’s tradition of championing new voices in American theatre, The Monsters marks another milestone in Ngozi Anyanwu’s growing body of work.

Critic Reviews (11)

"These choices from the composer and sound designer Mikaal Sulaiman lend the production a Black hip-hop-house musicality and give the show a thumping pulse."
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“The Monsters succeeds in its slow and steady gain of momentum as Big and Lil both work toward their next matches and try to repair their relationship.”
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“Something’s lost along the way to becoming a monster in the ring.”
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“After all the action, by the end there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the performance I attended.”
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"The Monsters exposes the humanity that exists under the perceived ruthlessness within a brutal profession, but its core strength lies in its exploration of family bonds."
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"a tour de force for two actors who have the chops for this very physical outing both emotionally and literally"
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“Mr. Onaodowan and Ms. Mizzelle have natural chemistry that flows through their performances as they love, fight, grapple, and strive to understand who they are, not what they are.”
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Okieriete ‘Oak’ Onaodowan and Aigner Mizzelle are every bit as adept in the emotional dance between their characters as they are in their physical interaction, enacted on stage with the aid of a choreographer, a fight director, and an “MMA consultant.”
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