The woman, named only in the script as \u201cA,\u201d seeks legal counsel, joins group therapy, and tentatively tells friends. Nyong\u2019o drifts from scene to scene, encountering a poker hand\u2019s worth of archetypes: the sympathetic therapist, the unhelpful lawyer, the mother she can’t tell, the glib friend who sides with the ex, the sincerely good guy. There\u2019s a frustrating lack of idiosyncrasy in everyone’s line deliveries \u2014 the mental health and legal professionals, in particular, speak like living infographics \u2014 though Sarah Steele does her best to make her dialogue distinctive in multiple roles.<\/p>\n
As for the protagonist, the play seems disinclined to give A much characterization outside of the incident; we don’t even learn her job. Nyong\u2019o is best at portraying A’s moments of softness and subtle ambivalence, but she struggles to convey the play\u2019s more intense emotions despite clear effort.<\/p>\n
There are select moments \u2014 like when A and a kind male friend (Greg Keller) listen to ignored voicemails, or when she and an old acquaintance discuss what success means \u2014 where the play\u2019s ambition and execution are more tantalizingly close. You can imagine a more defined set of people and circumstances that are more than tenuously connected. There\u2019s thematic potential to the notion that A is unmoored, but the play shouldn’t be, too.<\/p>\n
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Pre-Existing Condition summary<\/p>\n
A woman known only as A struggles to make sense of her life after she leaves her boyfriend in the aftermath of a domestic-violence incident, Through conversations with friends, family members, professionals, and more, we see A’s tumult in attempting to heal from her experience and get closure.<\/p>\n
The role of A will be played by a rotating cast throughout Pre-Existing Condition’s run. Lupita Nyong\u2019o<\/a> performs through September 26, followed by Phillipa Soo<\/a> (September 28 \u2013 October 17), Susannah Flood<\/a> (October 18 – November 7), Hari Nef<\/a> (November 9-28), Edie Falco<\/a> (November 30 \u2013 December 19), and Whitney White (December 21 – January 8). Dael Orlandersmith, Sarah Steele, and Greg Keller complete the cast, playing multiple roles each.<\/p>\n Pre-Existing Condition previously premiered off Broadway in summer 2024.<\/p>\n What to expect at Pre-Existing Condition<\/p>\n Pre-Existing Condition runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. The play features discussions of intimate partner violence and its emotional and psychological effects, but it does not feature any staged violence or graphic descriptions of it.<\/p>\n Cate McCrea’s set recalls a church basement or nondescript meeting space for a help group, with fluorescent lights hanging above and a water cooler tucked in a left corner. Dael Orlandersmith and Sarah Steele often face toward the audience as if we, too, are part of the group.<\/p>\n What audiences are saying about Pre-Existing Condition<\/p>\n \u201cIntense story with spectacular performances in all of the roles.\u201d – Show-Score user GBracken![\"2](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2_preexisting_condition-1200x600-NYTG.png\")
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\n\u201cThe subject matter may be triggering for some, but it was so respectfully and emotionally done that it\u2019s worth seeing even if it triggers you.\u201d – Kelly H on Show-Score
\n\u201cAs a survivor of [domestic violence] I was worried this might upset me, but it had the opposite effect. Lupita was outstanding, and Greg provided a perfect amount of humor and sweetness to his many roles, whilst Dael made me actually believe that at times we were meant to participate in the group and gave me hope and strength, and Sarah played her roles to perfection without triggering me. I highly recommend this play. Thank you all so much. You cannot imagine how badly I needed to see this.” – Show-Score user Mary M<\/p>\n