The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival celebrates the Williams Songbook

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The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival kicked off this year with “A Tennessee Williams Songbook: Only a Paper Moon,” a performance of the pop songs Williams chose for his plays compiled by David Kaplan, curator of the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.

Tony-nominated Broadway performer Alison Fraser sang the hits, including “If I Didn’t Care” and “Sweet Leilani,” as well as tunes by Noel Coward and Duke Ellington. Fraser wove country-western ballads, Mississippi blues and Italian romance with monologues from Williams’ plays. Pianist Allison Leyton-Brown arranged the music and played along with J. Walter Hawkes, John Eubanks, James Singleton, Jason Mingledorff, Bobby Campo and Wayne Maureau.

With the generous support of Albert Carey Jr., the event was sponsored by  Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Hendrick’s Gin and Dickie Brennan’s Tableau Restaurant provided local libations for guests.
The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival serves the community through educational, theatrical, literary and musical programs; nurtures, supports and showcases regional, national and international writers, actors, musicians and other artists; and honors the creative genius of Tennessee Williams, who considered this city his spiritual home.

Every year, the festival brings authors, actors and musicians to the city, while also providing professional writing education to area students and supporting year-round literary programs in the community. The five-day event creates a total economic impact of 1 million dollars.


Event at a Glance

What: “A Tennessee Williams Songbook: Only a Paper Moon,” benefiting the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
When: Wednesday, March 20
Where: Old U.S. Mint

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