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Part of the Lilian Hellman Festival

The Year of Magical Thinking

  • Credits

    By Joan Didion
    Based on her memoir
    Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch

  • Location

    Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle

"Richly affecting ... legitimately magical in it's own right."

- Talkin' Broadway

There is no way to avoid tragedy, loss or their aftermath. Yet we still hope that when faced with inescapable grief, something miraculous can emerge to ease our pain and guide us back to the joy of life. Few writers have experienced loss so suddenly and profoundly — or chronicled it as beautifully — as Joan Didion. Based on her award-winning memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking follows the iconic American author, portrayed by Kathleen Turner (Mother Courage and Her Children), as she learns to reconcile the natural instincts that drive us to bargain with the universal forces that giveth and taketh away.

The Year of Magical Thinking is generously sponsored by Andrew R. Ammerman.

Cast

KATHLEEN TURNER

Joan Didion

Creative

JOAN DIDION

Playwright

GAYE TAYLOR UPCHURCH

Director

DANIEL ZIMMERMAN

Set Designer

KATHLEEN GELDARD

Costume Designer

Jesse Belsky

Lighting Designer

ROC LEE

Original Music / Sound Designer

KURT HALL

Stage Manager

Multimedia

Kathleen Turner as Joan Didion in 'The Year of Magical Thinking' at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, October 7-November 20, 2016. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
Kathleen Turner as Joan Didion in 'The Year of Magical Thinking' at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, October 7-November 20, 2016. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
Kathleen Turner as Joan Didion in 'The Year of Magical Thinking' at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, October 7-November 20, 2016. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
Kathleen Turner as Joan Didion in 'The Year of Magical Thinking' at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, October 7-November 20, 2016. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
Kathleen Turner as Joan Didion in 'The Year of Magical Thinking' at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, October 7-November 20, 2016. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
Kathleen Turner as Joan Didion in 'The Year of Magical Thinking' at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, October 7-November 20, 2016. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.