Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson are set to make their Broadway debuts in the gripping drama The Fear of 13, a stage adaptation that brings the harrowing true story of Nick Yarris to the New York stage.
At a Glance
- Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson debut on Broadway in The Fear of 13.
- The play recounts Yarris’ 22 years on death row before his exoneration in 2004.
- The production partners with the Innocence Project to support wrongful-conviction reform.
- Why it matters: The show spotlights systemic injustice and invites audiences to confront the realities of the criminal-justice system.
The Play and Its Story
The Fear of 13 is adapted from Nick Yarris’ first-person account, which has been told through his memoir Seven Days to Live and David Sington’s 2015 documentary of the same name.
The narrative follows Yarris, a man wrongfully convicted in 1982 for a rape and murder he did not commit, as he reflects on his life and the years he spent awaiting execution.
Through a series of conversations with a volunteer named Jackie, Yarris confronts the line between witness and participant, forcing both to question what justice demands.
Cast and Characters
- Adrien Brody (first mention bolded) portrays Yarris, the central figure whose story drives the drama.
- Tessa Thompson plays Jackie, the volunteer who visits Yarris behind prison glass to hear his story.
Brody’s performance draws on his experience playing Yarris in a 2024 London production at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by Justin Martin.
Thompson, known for her roles in Hedda, His & Hers, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, brings a fresh presence to the stage.
Key Quotes
“I’ve never been in love before, but I know what this is,” Brody says in the trailer.
“They just needed someone to blame,” Brody adds, “I lived in silence for more than two years. Now even the truth sounds like a lie.”
The trailer ends with a powerful line from Brody’s character: “I forgive you for killing me.”
Production Details
The play opens previews on March 19 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, with opening night scheduled for April 15.
The production runs for 16 weeks and is directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer.
Playwright Lindsey Ferrentino, who debuted on Broadway earlier this season with The Queen of Versailles, adapted the script from Yarris’ account.
Tickets for The Fear of 13 are on sale now, offering audiences a chance to experience a story that blends theatrical intensity with real-world impact.
Impact and Partnerships
The Broadway production partners with the Innocence Project, an organization dedicated to freeing the wrongfully convicted and reforming the criminal-justice system.
Christina Swarns, Yarris’ former attorney, now serves as executive director of the nonprofit.
Under her leadership, the Innocence Project has helped free or exonerate more than 250 people, who collectively spent over 4,000 years behind bars, and contributed to the passage of more than 250 transformative state and federal reforms.
The partnership underscores the play’s commitment to raising awareness about wrongful convictions and supporting systemic change.
Why the Story Resonates
Yarris’ journey from a wrongful conviction in 1982 to his exoneration in 2004 illustrates the profound consequences of judicial error.
The play’s focus on personal testimony and the emotional toll of 22 years on death row offers a compelling narrative that transcends the stage.
By bringing this story to Broadway, the production invites audiences to reflect on the broader implications for justice reform.
Final Thoughts
Adrien Brody’s return to the stage in a role that mirrors his own dramatic experience, coupled with Tessa Thompson’s fresh energy, creates a powerful dynamic.
The partnership with the Innocence Project and the play’s focus on real-world injustice make The Fear of 13 a timely and thought-provoking addition to the Broadway calendar.
Audiences can expect a production that is as emotionally gripping as it is socially relevant, offering a chance to witness the human side of a system that often feels impersonal.
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Tickets are available now for The Fear of 13 at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
