American Beauty — correction

What is “American Beauty — The Rectification”? About the midlife crisis? About life in the suburbs? The search for authenticity? About stereotypes?

The play, according to the script of Simon King, confronts Sam Mendes's film, applying new filters to it. The first is the contemporary perspective and the world in which we see what our thoughtless take on American culture with all its glories and shadows has led us to. The second is a critical approach to romantic relationship patterns that still affect our imaginations, although they can prove dangerous and lead to real dramas. The third is the absurdity and grotesque of the “American Dream”, visible when we take a closer look at it. Feel it in the language that the characters speak. From the ordinary, everyday situations, another, decidedly more gloomy reality breaks through again and again. How true was the promise of freedom that suburban homes sell us?

The title of the play refers to a critical revision of the fates of the heroes and heroines. We ask which elements of Mendes's film have remained relevant and which have not stood the test of time.

director and dramaturgy: Michał Nowicki

screenplay by: Szymon Król

live music: Piotr Korzeniak, Paweł Stus

choreography: Martyna Dyląg

scenography and costumes: Monika Kufel

multimedia: Yana Maroz graphic design wallpaper: Mateusz Matysek video: Michał Nowicki cast: Michał Bielawski, Michał Kościuk, Monika Kufel, Hubert Woliński, Zuzanna Woźniak, Kaja Zalewska/Weronika Nagawiecka

Release Date: June 4, 2026

Duration: 105 minutes

The show is open to viewers from the age of 18.The show uses tobacco products and products containing CBD.The show includes scenes of violence, self-harm and content about suicidal thoughts. If the topics covered in the performance arouse the need for conversation or support, there is a 24-hour, free line of the Support Center for Adults in Mental Crisis: 800 70 2222. For more information: www.centrumcia.pl.People residing in Krakow can also benefit from the help of the Crisis Intervention Center in Krakow. 24-hour number: 12 421 92 82. More information: www.oik.krakow.pl.