Hold on to Me Darling is a play by Kenneth Lonergan. The show, first produced Off-Broadway in 2016, follows fictional country music icon, Strings McCrane, who finds himself in an existential tailspin on learning of his mother's death.
The play had its world premiere off-Broadway starring Timothy Olyphant and was produced by the Atlantic Theater Company. It received a nomination for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play.
In 2024, the play was revived at the Lucille Lortel Theatre with Adam Driver starring as McCrane.
Summary The story revolves around a country music icon named Strings McCrane, who finds himself in an existential tailspin on learning of his mother's death. Determined to abandon his celebrity and career, he moves back to his hometown in Tennessee.
Cast RoleAtlantic Theater Off-Broadway (2016)Lucille Lortel Theatre Off-Broadway (2024)Strings McCraneTimothy Olyphant Adam DriverEssieAdelaide Clemens NancyJenn Lyon Heather BurnsJimmyKeith Nobbs MitchJonathan HoganFrank WoodDukeC.J. Wilson
Productions The play had its world premiere in 2016, opening on March 14 at Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater starring Timothy Olyphant and directed by Neil Pepe. The play had an off-Broadway revival at the Lucille Lortel Theatre starring Adam Driver and ran from September 24, 2024 to December 22.
Critical reception The 2016 production received mixed reviews with Frank Rizzo of Variety praising its lead star Olyphant but writing that while "The play is entertaining and engaging, performed by a top-rate ensemble...its long reach for political and social resonance is a stretch, with Strings and those around him equating or manipulating his celebrity life and personal angst to a larger moral drift of the country." David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "There’s a much better play nestling in the almost three hours of Hold On to Me Darling, but Lonergan seems unwilling to find it, leaving most of the poignancy buried between his disjointed scenes en route to a conclusion of unearned emotion.". Alexis Soloski of The Guardian described the play as being "amusing but uneven", adding that it was a "A changeable blend of farce, comedy and drama".
The 2024 production received critical acclaim, particularly for Driver's performance. Robert Hoffer for The Wrap considered McCrane to be the "best role" of Driver's career. Jesse Hassenger for The Guardian wrote that Driver as McCrane has "the magnetism to draw all eyes in his direction whenever he’s on stage." For Vogue, Christopher Barnard commented that throughout the play's nearly 3-hour runtime "Driver does not hit a false note, a feat considering the aw-shucks, cowboy clichés lurking in the lines for less capable actors."
Accolades 2016 Original Production Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play Kenneth Lonergan
2024 Off-Broadway revival Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2025Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Adam Driver Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Revival Kenneth Lonergan Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play Adam Driver Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play Frank Wood Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play Adam Driver Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play Frank Wood
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