
Summer, 1976
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Narrated by:
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Laura Linney
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Jessica Hecht
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By:
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David Auburn
About this listen
Starring four-time Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Laura Linney and Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976 is an intimate and insightful exploration of friendship, ambition, and the struggle for independence.
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Auburn, this critically acclaimed Broadway hit chronicles the lives of two young mothers as they forge an unlikely bond during the summer of America’s Bicentennial. As the days heat up, they navigate a tumultuous relationship and discover how friendships define us, divide us, and permanently alter our sense of ourselves.
A fully immersive listening experience and a must-hear for theater enthusiasts everywhere, Summer, 1976 is a deeply moving portrayal of the small moments that can change the course of our lives.
©2023 David Auburn (P)2023 AO Media LLC
Behind the Scenes with Jessica Hecht & Laura Linney

About the Creator

About the Director

About the Performer

About the Performer
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Summer, 1976
- By: David Auburn
- Narrated by: Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht
- Length: 1 hr and 25 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Auburn, this critically acclaimed Broadway hit chronicles the lives of two young mothers as they forge an unlikely bond during the summer of America’s Bicentennial. As the days heat up, they navigate a tumultuous relationship and discover how friendships define us, divide us, and permanently alter our sense of ourselves.
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Refreshing short story of the power of female freindships
- By Melissa Shepherd on 12-30-23
A bittersweet play about female friendship
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What listeners say about Summer, 1976
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Overall
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- Hallie
- 12-08-23
The affected voice
The voice of Alice was too affected with vocal fry and dumb sounding accents of 2023 young women. It pulled me out of the story every time I heard it.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall
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Performance
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- Benjamin Button
- 12-26-23
The Power of Unexpected Friendships
This story begins with two women who are complete opposites and become very close friends in a short amount of time.
I found this to be an accurate reflection of intense female friendships that twist and turn over the years. It’s bittersweet, with strong feelings of love, admiration and loneliness. The hopes and dreams that we have for our close friends and the emotional support and encouragement given along the way.
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- S. Baum
- 01-01-24
heartfelt
this story really moved me. it left me thinking of the phrase "if they wanted to they would" and wondering about regrets and choices. a kind of welcome way to bring in the new year while examining the feelings and thoughts the story evoked.
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- Placeholder
- 12-13-23
depressing
depressing. slow. Laura is also the voice of Doug, which is confusing to say the least
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- Claudia Brewer
- 12-14-23
Great story
I loved this short story that depicted a wonderful memory of two women who came together one summer
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Overall
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- Joe
- 12-23-23
Brilliant Talented Voices
Absolutely amazing voice acting! I enjoyed every word! Very emotional and realistic view of women in life family career and friendship! I wish it was longer!
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- Rachel Goode
- 12-31-23
The way the two mothers spoke, sounded like a normal conversation, not a reading.
So good! I love how short this was because I had limited time when i started it, but it was packed with great content.
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- Bailey Rose
- 12-31-23
Life Moments
Two women come together during a summer because of their daughters. Dreams and life experiences are shared. There are are two POV. And the story fast tracks the reader through time in the end to see the women’s and their daughters lives years later. Overall, a good story with great narration.
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- Meka
- 12-21-23
a tale of 2 friends
The story telling was phenomenal. It was like watching an interview on TV. You really get to feel the emotional ride.
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- CGD
- 12-23-23
Poignant story of female friendship
Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht breathe flawless life into this funny, poignant story of friendship between two women in, yes, the summer of 1976. The two protagonists, thrown together by proximity and motherhood, are very different women, but their brief, intense friendship becomes the crucible for helping each of them arrive at a critical crossroads in her life. The ending of the story is a realistic and satisfying resolution. I was riveted from the first word. I'm so glad I found this story. Thanks, Audible.
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