Not About Nightingales

About the Project 

1938. Hitler is invading Austria, Stalin is putting on show trials, America is lynching Black people, thousands are rotting in state prisons, the world is slowly climbing out of the Great Depression, Hollywood is filming The Wizard of Oz and auditioning for Gone with the Wind, all while a 27 year old Tennessee Williams is pulling all-nighters to finish a blistering homoerotic Prison Drama. He would never live to see a production of this early masterpiece. Not About Nightingales is a front row seat to America’s prison industrial complex whose atrocities are too often avoided and denied. Director Robert O’Hara (A Raisin in the Sun and Slave Play), will immerse us in this searing testament to what happens when we cage men, remove their humanity, and let them rot while the ‘outside world’ is run by rich, entitled gangsters.

This play contains themes of physical abuse, inhumane treatment and abuse of power, workplace harassment, torture, death, murder (brute force, torture), suicide (offstage), sexual harassment, sexual coercion, conversation around implied sexual assault, explicit and offensive language, racial slurs and violent racially charged language, racial violence, class violence, mental illness and disability, nudity and partial nudity, whipping (scars), mob attack, humanitarian strike, protest, and isolation. This production includes gunshots, cigarettes, haze, and nudity. The W71 production will include audience immersive elements but will not require audience participation.

Upon arrival at the venue, all phones will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. Guests maintain possession of their belongings at all times and can access their phones throughout the event at designated Phone Use Areas in the venue. All phones will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the event space. Anyone seen using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue. Guests are encouraged to bring a credit card for purchases inside the venue. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free viewing experience

Run Dates: Saturday, July 12 - Sunday, August 3

Run Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission

Who Is Involved?

• • Creative Team

    • Sophia Choi - Costume Design

    • Diggle - Scenic Design

    • Palmer Hefferan - Sound Design

    • Alex Jainchill - Lighting Design

    • Robert O'Hara - Director

    • Tennessee Williams - Playwright

  • Cast

    • Michael Benz - JOE, AS CAST

    • Nick Craven - SCHULTZ, AS CAST

    • Skyler Gallun - SWIFTY, AS CAST

    • Brian Geraghty - BUTCH

    • Ben Getz - SAILOR JACK, AS CAST

    • William Jackson Harper - JIM

    • Iván Marcel Hernandez - CHICK, AS CAST

    • Joe Goldammer - REVEREND, AS CAST

    • Malik James - OLLIE, AS CAST

    • Sam James - MCBURNEY, ALBERTS, AS CAST

    • Dan Katz - SHAPIRO, AS CAST

    • Elizabeth Lail - EVA

    • Annie McNamara - MRS. BRISTOL, GOLDIE, AS CAST

    • David Mattar Merten - QUEEN, AS CAST

    • Chris Messina - WARDEN WHALEN

    • Gabriel Portuondo - MEX/CHAPLIN, AS CAST

  • Staff Assignments (show team)

    • Production Management Lead: Lesley Fairman

    • Production Management Associate: Erica Schnitzer

    • Line Producer: Rayshaun Sandlin

    • Associate Company Manager: Majenta Thomas

    • Box Office Lead: Stacey Neveu

    • House Manager: Leah Greenhaus

    • Crew

Location(s)

This project performs in the NikosStage at the ‘62 Center for Theatre & Dance. It rehearses in CTD 280.

Ticket Information

Tickets may be purchased here. This project is included in the Weekend Pass, which can be purchased here. Tickets are $100 each, inclusive of processing fees. Click here to learn more about the Festival’s Ticket Accessibility Program.

Parking & Check-in Information

The NikosStage is located inside the '62 Center for Theatre & Dance in the front of the building (1000 Main St, Williamstown, MA). The accessibility drop off area is located to the right of the '62 Center on Adams Memorial Dr. This is a one way road that proceeds to a free three-tiered parking garage located behind the building.   

Limited additional on-street parking is available on Park St. There is also a free parking lot at the bottom of Spring St, less than a 10-minute walk to the theatre.

Seats to this project are assigned; tickets are digital and emailed to ticket holders. If patrons have trouble accessing their tickets, they can visit the Box Office also located in the front of the building.

Key Dates

• • First Rehearsal: June 9 (NYC) June 21 (Williamstown)

  • Tech Rehearsal: July 8-11

  • Final Dress: TBD

  • First Performance: Saturday, July 12 at 7:00pm

  • Opening: Friday, July 18 at 2:00pm

  • Closing: Sunday, August 3 at 2:00pm

Link to Project on Festival Website