More than 100 events stretched over five days will highlight New Orleans’ favorite scribe with a mix of old and new faces during the celebration of contemporary literature, culture, theater and Tennessee Williams.<\/p>\n
The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and the Saints & Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival pack a jammed agenda this weekend with speakers and panel discussions, sessions on writing, performances, readings, walking tours and culinary events.<\/p>\n
Most of the events for the 40th year are held at the host Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter and in several theaters and the New Orleans Jazz Museum.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Participants yell “Stella” or “Stanley” during the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival’s Stella yelling contest at the Jazz Museum in New Orleans, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n A highlight event will bring a glittering assemblage of entertainment professionals to the Historic BK House for a one-night-only immersive celebration, directed by Tony winner Rob Ashford, with multiple Tony winners Michael Cerveris (\u201cFun Home\u201d) and Christine Ebersole (\u201cGrey Gardens\u201d).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n More than 100 speakers are expected, including Pulitzer Prize winners Robert Olen Butler and Michael Cunningham, Martin Sherman, Justin Torres, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Ladee Hubbard, Skye Jackson, CCH Pounder and Billy Eichner.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to celebrate 40 years of our festival and grateful to all of the literary luminaries who have joined us through the years,\u201d said Paul J. Willis, executive director. \u201cWe\u2019re welcoming back some authors who have been to the festival many times, as well as fresh new voices with debut books.\u201d<\/p>\n Festival highlights include the Writers’ Craft Series with more than 10 sessions; the Literary Discussion Series, a three-day ensemble of panels with more than 80 authors; a book fair by Octavia Books; writing marathons; readings and signings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Books and Beignets will discuss \u201cThe Rose Tattoo,\u201d and the Scholars Conference is a full-day discussion that culminates with a staged reading of \u201cFin du Monde,\u201d Williams’ unpublished short story. \u201cFrom the Page to the Stage\u201d will highlight Jamie Wax’s \u201cCall Me Izzy,\u201d a Broadway show, with Wax, Johanna Day and Charles Urstadt.<\/p>\n Theatrical offerings include:\u00a0<\/p>\n Friday’s marquee event, \u201cWe Have Not Long to Love: A Celebration of Tennessee Williams,\u201d will blend scenes from \u201cSweet Bird of Youth,\u201d \u201cOrpheus Descending\u201d and \u201cA Streetcar Named Desire\u201d in an immersive experience conceived and directed by Tony- and Emmy-winner Ashford.<\/p>\n Using a house at 1113 Chartres St. as the venue, the audience will move through the historic dwelling in small groups to delve into the works. Following an intermission, all will gather in the courtyard for a taste of \u201cSuddenly Last Summer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n New Orleans’ famous Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is returning to the French Quarter in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTennessee Williams is the patron saint of New Orleans, a city that inspires and intrigues me,\u201d said Ashford, who has directed and choreographed \u201cFrozen,\u201d \u201cEvita,\u201d \u201cThoroughly Modern Millie (Tony winner) and \u201cCat on a Hot Tin Roof.\u201d The event \u201cwill showcase the themes that Williams so often explored: fear of aging and loss of desire, illusion versus reality, and the shifting power dynamics in relationships. It\u2019s an honor to work with this extraordinary cast.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In addition to Cerveris and Ebersole, other Broadway veteran performers participating include Harriet Harris (Tony winner for \u201cThoroughly Modern Millie\u201d), Marin Ireland, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Ansel Elgort, Froy Gutierrez, Jennifer Nettles, Sam Rechner, Micaela Diamond and Leslie Castay.<\/p>\n Another special event is the Last Bohemia Soiree at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the hotel, featuring Eichner, the actor, writer, comedian and producer who will share excerpts from this audio memoir \u201cBilly on Billy.\u201d He will also discuss \u201cBilly on the Street,\u201d his 2011-17 online game show, with playwright and CBS correspondent Wax.<\/p>\n Activities run through Sunday. Festival passes are available and individual event tickets range start at $10. The special BK House performance is $200 and includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. with the performance at 7 p.m. Tickets for the Last Bohemian Soiree start at $40. For more information, visit tenneesseewilliams.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER<\/span>
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