Broadway’s 'Eureka Day' Delivers Sharp Satire on Vaccine Debates and Modern Discourse

Jonathan Spector's comedy explores the fractures in progressive ideals through a mumps outbreak at a fictional Bay Area school.

Eureka Day, written by Jonathan Spector and directed by Anna D. Shapiro, opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre to critical acclaim.
Set in a progressive Berkeley private school during 2018-2019, the play uses a mumps outbreak to explore tensions around vaccination policies and communication breakdowns.
The production skillfully blends comedy and drama, with standout performances from Bill Irwin, Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, and Thomas Middleditch anchoring the ensemble cast.
A pivotal scene involving a live-streamed vaccine debate highlights the chaos of modern public discourse, drawing both laughter and unease from audiences.
Critics praise the play for its nuanced character development and incisive commentary on liberal ideals, consensus-building, and the limits of inclusivity.