Hold on to Me Darling Tickets

By: Kenneth Lonergan
Director: Neil Pepe
Cast list: Adam Driver (as Strings McCrane), Heather Burns (as Nancy), Adelaide Clemens (as Essie), Keith Nobbs (as Jimmy), CJ Wilson (as Duke), Frank Wood (as Mitch)
Sets: Walt Spangler
Costumes: Suttirat Larlarb
Lighting: Tyler Micoleau
Sound: David Van Tiegham

Adam Driver is known for his star turns in film (Academy Award nominations for Marriage Story and BlacKkKlansman) and TV (three Emmy nominations for Girls). Now, he returns to his roots: as a Juilliard graduate, Driver is trained in theatre and has performed on Broadway and off at Playwrights Horizons, Rattlestick, and Signature Theatre Company. However, after working in theatre, Driver quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs and leading men.

Now, he uses that distinct star wattage to portray Strings McCrane: a highly famous guitarist whose life unravels after his mother passes away. Determined to improve his life by slowing down, he heads back to his Tennessee hometown and realizes life at home may be just as chaotic as life on the road.

Can you ever really go home again? Strings, and audiences, will find out in this moving tale of homecoming and learning how to better know, and hold compassion for, oneself.

What to watch for

• Kenneth Lonergan is celebrated for his stage plays, but film buffs make know him as the Oscar-winning writer and director of Manchester by the Sea.
• Neil Pepe directs this production and is also the artistic director of the Atlantic.
• This is not the first time Driver has played a famous artist: fans of Marriage Story will remember Driver played a well-known director in that Oscar-nominated performance.
• While the play features many familiar tropes, audiences can expect a specific story with keenly observed details and humor that can only be found in Lonergan’s very human writing.