Kathleen Turner Set for The Year of Magical Thinking

The Year of Magical Thinking begins performances tonight at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.

Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Kathleen Turner stars in Joan Didion's adaptation of her bestselling memoir about learning to reconcile the natural instincts that drive us to bargain with the universal forces that "giveth and taketh away." Gaye Taylor Upchurch directs.

"The Year of Magical Thinking is a powerful play," said artistic director Molly Smith. "Joan Didion was confronted with extreme personal loss and has bravely shared her story. Our production stars Kathleen, who intimately understands this story and will take the audience gently by the hand as she navigates this story of grief and transition. She is a superb actor and I know her performance will be unforgettable."

"It is a play about grief, yes, but the rigorous assessing of grief and its effects, as delivered by the incomparable Kathleen Turner, is in fact an incredible act of generosity," adds Upchurch. "Kathleen's grit and grace and sly sense of humor are fantastically paired with Joan Didion's no-holds-barred piece. I feel honored to be plumbing the depths of this gorgeous work with her at Arena Stage."

The creative staff includes Daniel Zimmerman (set design), Kathleen Geldard (costume design), Jesse Belsky (lighting design), Roc Lee (original music and sound design), Kurt Hall (stage manager), and Emily Mellon (stage management assistant).

Performances run through November 7.

For more information and tickets, click here.