This week, The Run-Through continues its spring theater coverage!
Lindsey Ferrentino’s The Fear of 13, one of the year’s most anticipated transfers from London, opened last week on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre. Adapted from the 2015 documentary of the same name, the play tells the story of Nick Yarris, a man wrongfully convicted of rape and murder who was later exonerated by DNA evidence after 22 years in prison. Two seasoned actors, Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson, bring this semi-fictionalized account to life: Brody stars as Yarris, while Thompson plays a prison volunteer with whom he falls in love.
The production marks both actors’ Broadway debuts, and they sat down with senior editor Marley Marius to discuss the experience. Each spoke about the weight of reenacting moments from a living person’s life; Yarris, now free, was often present at both table reads and performances. As Thompson puts it, when it comes to work like this, “whether they’re in the room or not, they are in the room.”
Offstage, Brody and Thompson take very different approaches to unwinding. Brody, a self-described homebody and true multi-hyphenate, spends his time making music and cooking stews, while Thompson looks forward to catching other shows in her free time and seeking out speakeasies around the theater district. Listen to the full conversation above.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs On the Podcast Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson Discuss Their Broadway Debuts in The Fear of 13
Q What is this podcast episode about
A Its a conversation with actors Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson where they talk about their firstever Broadway performances in the play The Fear of 13
Q Who are Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson
A They are wellknown film and television actors Brody won an Oscar for The Pianist and Thompson is known for roles in Creed Westworld and Marvel films This podcast focuses on their move to Broadway
Q What is The Fear of 13 about
A The Fear of 13 is a new play making its Broadway debut While specific plot details might be discussed the podcast focuses more on the actors personal experiences stepping onto the Broadway stage for it
Q Ive never listened to a theater podcast before Is this a good starting point
A Yes Its very accessible You get to hear two famous actors share relatable stories about nerves preparation and the unique challenges of live theater even if youre not familiar with the specific play
Q What are some of the main topics they discuss
A They likely cover their reasons for doing Broadway the differences between filmTV and theater acting the rehearsal process dealing with stage fright and what the play means to them personally
Q Do I need to see the play to understand the podcast
A No not at all The discussion is centered on their experience of doing the playthe behindthescenes journeyrather than dissecting the plot in detail
Q Whats one surprising thing I might learn from this episode
A You might learn how even highly accomplished awardwinning actors face intense fear and selfdoubt when tackling a new medium like Broadway and how they work through it
Q How is performing on Broadway different from film according to them
A They probably highlight the lack of retakes the immediate feedback from a live audience the physical and vocal stamina required for eight shows a week and the need for consistent renewed energy each performance