Eugene O’Neill Festival: “The Second Girl”

The Eugene O’Neill Festival presents a staged reading of “The Second Girl” at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville on Saturday & Sunday, August 24 & 25, 2019. Photo: Eugene O’Neill Festival

“Dearest: I give you the original script of this play of old sorrow, written in tears and blood. A sadly inappropriate gift, it would seem, for a day celebrating happiness. But you will understand. I mean it as a tribute to your love and tenderness which gave me the faith in love that enabled me to face my dead at last and write this play – write it with deep pity and understanding and forgiveness for all the four haunted Tyrones.” – Eugene O’Neill

DANVILLE – Eugene O’Neill was a legendary playwright and a pioneer of new dramatic techniques. He built Tao House in Danville after being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature—the only American playwright to be so honored. His plays still resonate with audiences, having remained relevant to this day, and are frequently performed both on and off Broadway. The annual Eugene O’Neill Festival celebrates the man who made an enormous impact on modern theater.

The first in a series of performances, a staged reading of The Second Girl by Ronan Noone will be presented at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. For those who love Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs, this reading is not to be missed. Set in the kitchen of the Tyrone family on the same day in 1912 that Long Day’s Journey Into Night takes place, The Second Girl tells the story of the hopes and dreams and the challenges of the Tyrone family’s hired help. Their tale touches on the plight of all immigrants trying to make their way in a new world.

The Village Theatre will then host the Role Players Ensemble and Town of Danville’s presentation of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, followed by a concert featuring Irish soprano Clodagh Kinsella.

The festival will wrap up at the Old Barn at Tao House with the play that put O’Neill on the map, Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Be sure to participate in the informative and entertaining events that accompany the performances, such as the annual hike from Danville to Tao House on September 8, the “Secrets of O’Neill’s Danville” history walk on September 21 and several festival previews at locations around the Bay Area in August.

Eugene O’Neill Festival: “The Second Girl”
Saturday & Sunday, August 24 & 25, 2019
Sat: 8pm • Sun: 2pm & 7pm
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Danville
Tickets: $15-25

For tickets and more information, call 925.314.3400 or visit EugeneONeill.org or VillageTheatreShows.com.