Data (play)

Data is a 2021 dramatic one-act play by American playwright Matthew Libby in his playwriting debut. The play follows a young programmer who discovers his algorithms are used for secret surveillance. The play premiered in 2021 in a digital production at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, before premiering Off-Broadway in 2026 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Plot

The play follows Maneesh, a brilliant entry-level programmer at a Silicon Valley software development firm. He is offered the chance to transfer to the data analytics team where the company's secret purposes are revealed to be surveillance for deportations.

Production history

2021 Atlanta digital premiere

The play was first presented digitally through the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia in 2021, running from May 6 through June 6, 2021 after an extension due to popular demand. The production premiered digitally and wasd irected by Susan V. Booth, starring Cheech Manohar as Maneesh, Jake Berne as Jonah, Claire Latham as Riley and Stephen Hu as Alex. The New York Times praised the production, calling it "better than television" and lauding the digital adaptation as "continued innovation and growth of the form."

2024 Washington D.C. production

The play had its live-stage debut in 2024 at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. in 2024, running from October 31 to December 15, 2024. Margot Bordelon served as director, with Karan Brar as Maneesh, Stephen Cefalu Jr. as Jonah, Isabel Van Natta as Riley and Rob Yang as Alex. The production was positively received, with Stage and Cinema praising the show's "gripping intensity" and calling it "compelling."

2026 Off-Broadway production

Next, a new production of the play was announced to premiere Off-Broadway in 2026 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre for a limited 11-week run. Directed by Tyne Rafaeli, Brar reprised his role as Maneesh, joined by Brandon Flynn as Jonah, Sophia Lillis as Riley and Justin H. Min as Alex. The production began previews on January 9, 2026, opening on January 25 and running through March 29 of the same year.

The production received mixed to positive reviews, with The New York Times calling it a "darkly on-point dramatic mirror of present-day events", though Exteunt criticized it for its "choices that betray a distrust of the audience." Nonetheless, for the play, Libby was nominated for the 2026 Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award.

Cast and characters

Awards and nominations

2024 Washington D.C. Production

2026 Off-Broadway production