eugene o'neill Festival 2026
two plays at tao house!
Live Performances Sep 12–26
This year, the Eugene O’Neill Foundation is proud to bring TWO plays to the Old Barn Theatre at Tao House. First up is Sheila Forsey’s Teddy (Sep 12–13): a gripping story of family fractures and secrets that come to light at Christmas with dramatic consequences. Then headlining the Festival is O’Neill’s comedy of recollection, Ah, Wilderness! (Sep 17–20, Sep 26): a warm, light-hearted coming of age story presented as an imaginative radio play.
Teddy by Sheila Forsey
Sep 12–13 (Sat 7:30pm, Sun 1:30pm)
Shows at Tao House with shuttle from Museum of the San Ramon Valley map it
Opening this year’s Festival is the US premiere of Teddy, a powerful and heart-wrenching story of family ties, home, and secrets. Written by Irish playwright Sheila Forsey and directed by Eric Fraisher Hayes, Teddy features the original Irish and American cast from its international premiere in 2024. The Foundation is excited to once again collaborate with our friends from the O’Neill International Festival in Ireland and welcomes the New Ross and Wexford delegations on opening night.
Produced with the generous support of the New Ross Municipal District of Wexford County Council.
Ah, Wilderness! by Eugene O’Neill
Sep 17–20 (Thu–Sat 7:30pm, Sun 1:30pm)
Shows at Tao House with shuttle from Museum of the San Ramon Valley map it
Sep 26 (Sat 1:30pm and 7:30pm)
Shows at The Village Theatre map it
O’Neill’s “comedy of recollection” Ah, Wilderness! is a story set over a Fourth of July weekend. The play contrasts with O'Neill's usual grim dramas, depicting a loving family as 16-year-old Richard navigates young love, teenage rebellion, and small town sensibilities. We welcome Director Titian Lish back to Tao House as she directs an engaging radio play format for this telling of O’Neill’s nostalgic imagined family.
OTHER FESTIVAL EVENTS
Summer Book Club
Aug 5 (Wed, time tbd)
Downtown Danville
A Eugene O’Neill Festival 2026 Event (Free to participate!)
Read Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness! play and Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn novel. Our two featured books can be purchased at your local independent bookstore, borrowed from your local library, or downloaded from your favorite service. Enjoy the read and participate in a friendly discussion at a gathering on Aug 5 in downtown Danville. More info to come!
Festival Preview
Aug 11 (Tue 6pm)
Danville Library map it
More details coming soon
Historic Guided Tour of Danville
Starting at the O'Neill Commemorative Park, Danville
More details coming soon
Tour of the California Historical Radio Society Museum
Alameda
More details coming soon
We hope to see you there!
The Eugene O’Neill Festival: a history
Since 1999, the annual Eugene O’Neill Festival has celebrated dramatic theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area. Similarly-themed plays from classic playwrights and O’Neill contemporaries are chosen for production at various locations in Danville with the centerpiece O’Neill show being performed at Tao House itself. In 2013, the festival grew to a month-long event which now includes a guided hike to the Tao House property, a historic tour of Danville, special exhibits at the Museum of San Ramon Valley, seminars with dramaturgs, actors and directors, and several social events.