Hold On to Me Darling

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Hold on to Me Darling
Written by Kenneth Lonergan
Date premieredFebruary 24, 2016
Place premiered Linda Gross Theater
Original languageEnglish
Subject Existentialism, grief, family, midlife crisis, fame
SettingTennessee

Hold on to Me Darling is a play by Kenneth Lonergan. The show, first produced Off-Broadway in 2016, follows a fictional country music icon named Strings McCrane, who finds himself in an existential tailspin on learning of his mother's death.

Contents

The play had its world premiere off-Broadway starring Timothy Olyphant and was produced by the Atlantic Theater Company. It received a nomination for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play.

In 2024, the play was revived at the Lucille Lortel Theatre with Adam Driver starring as McCrane. [1] [2]

Summary

The story revolves around a country music icon named Strings McCrane, who finds himself in an existential tailspin on learning of his mother's death. Determined to abandon his celebrity and career, he moves back to his hometown in Tennessee.

Cast

Role Linda Gross Theater
Off-Broadway (2016)		 Lucille Lortel Theatre
Off-Broadway (2024)
Strings McCrane Timothy Olyphant Adam Driver
Essie Adelaide Clemens
Nancy Jenn Lyon Heather Burns
Jimmy Keith Nobbs
Mitch Jonathan Hogan Frank Wood
Duke C.J. Wilson

Productions

The play had its world premiere in 2016, opening on March 14 at Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater starring Timothy Olyphant and directed by Neil Pepe. [3] The play will have a off-Broadway revival at the Lucille Lortel Theatre starring Adam Driver and will run from September 24, 2024 to December 22. [4]

Critical reception

The 2016 production received mixed reviews with Frank Rizzo of Variety praising its lead star Olyphant but writing that while "The play is entertaining and engaging, performed by a top-rate ensemble...its long reach for political and social resonance is a stretch, with Strings and those around him equating or manipulating his celebrity life and personal angst to a larger moral drift of the country." [5] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "There’s a much better play nestling in the almost three hours of Hold On to Me Darling, but Lonergan seems unwilling to find it, leaving most of the poignancy buried between his disjointed scenes en route to a conclusion of unearned emotion.". [6] Alexis Soloski of The Guardian described the play as being "amusing but uneven", adding that it was a "A changeable blend of farce, comedy and drama". [7]

The 2024 production received critical acclaim, particularly for Driver's performance. [8] Robert Hoffer for The Wrap considered McCrane to be the "best role" of Driver's career. [9] Jesse Hassenger for The Guardian wrote that Driver as McCrane has "the magnetism to draw all eyes in his direction whenever he’s on stage." [10] For Vogue , Christopher Barnard commented that throughout the play's nearly 3-hour runtime "Driver does not hit a false note, a feat considering the aw-shucks, cowboy clichés lurking in the lines for less capable actors." [11]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2016 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play Kenneth Lonergan Nominated [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Christopher Barnard (October 16, 2024). "Hold On to Me Darling, Reviewed: So Lonesome He Could Cry". Vogue.
  2. ↑ "Adam Driver to star in 'Hold on to Me Darling' off Broadway this fall". NY Theatre Guide. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Kenneth Lonergan's Hold On To Me Darling, Starring Timothy Olyphant, Extends Off-Broadway". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Adam Driver to star in 'Hold on to Me Darling' off Broadway this fall". NY Theatre Guide. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Off Broadway Review: Timothy Olyphant in Kenneth Lonergan's 'Hold on to Me Darling'". Variety. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  6. ↑ "'Hold On to Me Darling': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Hold on to Me Darling review – troubles of a pampered country star". The Guardian . Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  8. ↑ Christopher Barnard (October 16, 2024). "Hold On to Me Darling, Reviewed: So Lonesome He Could Cry". Vogue.
  9. ↑ Robert Hoffer (October 16, 2024). "'Hold on to Me Darling' Off Broadway Review: Adam Driver Grabs the Best Role of His Career". The Wrap.
  10. ↑ Jesse Hassenger (October 16, 2024). "Hold on to Me Darling review – Adam Driver powers electric Kenneth Lonergan play". The Guardian.
  11. ↑ "Adam Driver to star in 'Hold on to Me Darling' off Broadway this fall". NY Theatre Guide. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Outer Critics Circle Awards 2016: And the Winners are..." NY Theatre Guide. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
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