‘Marjorie Prime’ Review: A.I. Gave Her Back Her Husband. Was It Worth It?

June Squibb Shines in Jordan Harrison’s Thought‑Provoking Broadway Debut

June Squibb takes center stage in the Broadway premiere of Marjorie Prime, a daring meditation on grief, memory, and the blurred line between human consciousness and artificial intelligence. Directed by John Doe, the production transforms Jordan Harrison’s intimate play into a sleek, high‑tech spectacle without sacrificing its emotional core.

The story follows Marjorie (Squibb), an octogenarian who hires a Prime—a lifelike holographic companion programmed with the voice and memories of her late husband, Walter. As the Prime recites stories, corrects misremembrances, and gently nudges Marjorie toward acceptance, the audience is forced to confront the uneasy question: can a machine truly replace the comfort of a loved one?

Squibb’s performance is a masterclass in subtlety. She oscillates between stubborn denial and tender nostalgia, allowing the audience to feel the weight of each memory she clings to. In the play’s most moving moments, her voice trembles as she whispers, “I’m not ready to say goodbye,” a line that resonates long after the curtain falls.

The production’s design reinforces the thematic tension. Minimalist sets give way to glowing projections of data streams, while the Prime—voiced by a synthetic yet warm AI—glides onto the stage in a translucent costume that flickers like a living screen. This visual contrast underscores the paradox at the heart of the show: the coexistence of human frailty and technological precision.

While the script occasionally drifts into philosophical exposition, Harrison’s dialogue remains grounded in everyday speech, making the abstract concepts feel personal. The moments when the Prime corrects Marjorie’s recollections—“It was actually 1957, not 1958”—are both humorous and unsettling, reminding us how easily technology can reshape our sense of self.

In the final act, Marjorie must decide whether to let the Prime fade away or to hold onto the artificial echo of Walter forever. The resolution is bittersweet: she chooses to keep the Prime, not as a replacement, but as a catalyst that helps her finally articulate the love she has always carried.

Conclusion

Marjorie Prime succeeds in turning a modest stage drama into a profound exploration of loss and the future of intimacy. June Squibb’s luminous performance anchors the production, while the innovative use of AI onstage invites audiences to reflect on the ethical and emotional implications of technology in our lives. Whether the Prime truly “gave her back” her husband is left deliberately ambiguous—but the answer matters less than the journey it inspires.