About the Show

A woman reunites with her estranged father, hiding a past that could upend her new life.

Eugene O’Neill’s Anna Christie tells the story of a young woman who reunites with her estranged father after years apart. Having concealed her past as a sex worker, Anna seeks a fresh start, but finds her plans complicated by the rigid morality of those around her and the budding romance with a sailor named Mat. Set against the gritty backdrop of the New York waterfront in the 1920s, the play explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and the cost of redemption.

This new production is directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail (Hamilton, In the Heights) and features Michelle Williams, an Emmy winner and five-time Academy Award nominee, in the title role. The revival brings renewed focus to one of the most iconic female leads in American drama.

The creative team includes movement direction by Steven Hoggett (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), original music by composer Nicholas Britell (Succession, Moonlight), scenic design by Christine Jones and Bret Banakis, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Natasha Katz, and sound design by Nevin Steinberg. Presented by St. Ann’s Warehouse, the production situates a canonical text within a bold, contemporary staging.

Critic Reviews (11)

"Seems very much like a post-pandemic return to A-game artistry and experiential elegance for St. Ann’s — an intoxicating New York blend of grit, cool and stardust"
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"Without the help of stronger production elements to deepen Anna’s story, the scenic design can only go so far, as the plot about a struggle for redemption by men is a struggle to invest in."
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"Michelle Williams gives a performance of extraordinary force, beauty and scorching truth"
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"St. Ann’s Warehouse is home to a slavish rendition of a piece that, a century-plus on, shows its age. Her deck creaks, her hull leaks"
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"A few staging issues apart, [Kail] has a sense of respect for the playwright's work and a fearless need to investigate it. He also has three accomplished stars at his command. The combination makes for a generally riveting experience."
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"Thomas Kail’s uneven production doesn’t present the actress at her best; nor is her performance the standout"
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Thomas Kail's "Anna Christie" does not prove that this dated play cannot be revived, just that this is not the way to do it.
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" It’s a perfectly respectable production, but I’m not convinced the play has much to offer, despite its Pulitzer-winning bonafides."
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