Frontmezzjunkies reports: Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson bring a haunting true story to the stage
By Ross
With a first preview, the excitement is elevated to high as the lights go down. The audience leans forward, and a new story begins to take shape in real time, breath by breath, reaction by reaction. Tonight, on the evening of March 19, that energy belongs to The Fear of 13, now beginning performances at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
Written by Lindsey Ferrentino (This Flat Earth) and directed by the talented David Cromer (MTC’s Bug), the play arrives on Broadway carrying both a haunting true story and a pair of highly anticipated leading performances. Two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) and Golden Globe nominee Tessa Thompson (“Hedda“) step onto a Broadway stage for the first time, leading a production that already feels poised to become a major part of the season’s conversation.
Based on the documentary by David Sington, The Fear of 13 tells the story of Nick Yarris, a man convicted of murder who takes an unthinkable step. Rather than fighting for his freedom, he petitions the court to carry out his execution. It is a premise that immediately unsettles, raising questions about justice, truth, and the fragile line between them.
The production also arrives with a deeper resonance through its partnership with the Innocence Project, grounding the play’s narrative in the ongoing real-world fight against wrongful convictions. That connection adds weight to a story already charged with emotional and moral urgency.
For theatregoers keeping an eye on the season ahead, this production carries another layer of intrigue. Brody and Thompson step into the Broadway spotlight after a year that has already placed them firmly in the awards conversation. Their presence alone signals a production that will not quietly pass through the season. Instead, it enters the race with confidence, and with the kind of performances that invite attention from the very first night.
Directed with Cromer’s signature intimacy, and supported by a strong ensemble that includes Ephraim Sykes and Joel Marsh Garland among others, The Fear of 13 begins its journey with an audience discovering it in the moment. Each preview will shape what the play becomes, as reactions sharpen, rhythms settle, and performances deepen.
That is the thrill of this stage in a production’s life. Nothing is fixed yet. Everything is possible. And tonight, a new contender steps forward. Watch your back, Lithgow, a different kind of Giant is stepping into the ring.
