In Honor of a Playwright

The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival started its five-day festival with the multimedia stage production of Tom Sancton’s Song For My Fathers: A New Orleans Story in Black and White. The festival kick-off took place at The Old U.S. Mint, which is also the location of an exhibit that celebrates 50 years of Preservation Hall, on Wednesday, March 21.

The production tells the story of one young man who learns to play jazz from a retired Preservation Hall musician while growing up in 1960s New Orleans. Song For My Fathers: A New Orleans Story in Black and White was interpreted through a variety of narrations, audio-visual projections, dramatizations and musical interludes. The event was directed by Ron Rona, produced by Ben Jaffe and featured Tom Sanction and the Preservation Hall All-Stars.

Spirit Sponsor Hendrick’s gin provided the “Tennessee Williams Wondrous Welcome Punch,” a specialty cocktail created just for the kick-off event, as well as Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey and ginger beer, Hendrick’s gin and tonic and Stolichnaya vodka and tonic. Other event sponsors included Regions Bank, Louisiana Museum Foundation and the Louisiana State Museum.

The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is committed to serving New Orleans through educational, theatrical, literary and musical programs; nurturing, supporting and showcasing writers, actors and musicians from all over the world; as well as honoring the life and legacy of Tennessee Williams.


Event at a Glance
What:
Song For My Fathers: A New Orleans Story in Black and White, benefiting the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival
When: Wednesday, March 21
Where: The Old U.S. Mint

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