Eugene O'Neill Festival Honors Famous Danville Playwright

DANVILLE, CA — Danville is honoring one of its most famous former residents through the Eugene O’Neill Festival, which will celebrate the famous playwright with different events from now until October. O’Neill, the only playwright to win four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, lived in a hacienda house on the edge of Las Trampas Park from 1937 until 1944. Click on the links in the titles for more information.

Sweeping Passions Photography Showcase

Sept. 1 - Oct. 16, Museum of the San Ramon Valley

View stunning photographs taken by local photographers of the hills and house that inspired O’Neill to write some of his greatest plays.

The Women in “Mourning Becomes Electra”

Aug. 28, 6-7 p.m., virtual via Zoom

Mother and daughter Carole and Beth Wynstra discuss the play “Mourning Becomes Electra,” which is being performed this year. Beth is an O’Neill scholar and associate professor at Babson College, and Carole is co-president of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Board.

“The Oresteia” and the Roots of “Mourning Becomes Electra”

Sept. 4, 7-8:30 p.m., virtual via Zoom

Professor Emeritus of Classics, Mark Griffith, and Professor of English and Past President of the Eugene O’Neill Society, Katie Johnson, discuss how O’Neill reworked the ancient Greek tragedy into a modern play.

Ghosts of Tao House Stroll

Sept. 6 - Oct. 16, downtown Danville

Explore greater downtown Danville on a self-guided tour of more than a dozen O’Neill-related sites and restaurants.

The Nomads: A Friendship City Celebration Concert

Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., Village Theatre

The Nomads, from New Ross, Ireland join guests Lizzy Heffernan and Todd Brothers for a night of Irish music.

Secrets of O’Neill’s Danville: A Historic Walk

Sept. 14, 10 a.m., Eugene O’Neill Commemorative Park

Enjoy a free guided tour with local historians of everywhere O’Neill once frequented. The tour is free with no need to register.

“Mourning Becomes Electra”

Sept. 14-15 / 20-22 / 27-29; Friday, 6 p.m., Sat/Sun 4 p.m., Tao House

Enjoy O’Neill’s dramatic reinterpretation of the Greek tragedy.

Whiskey Walk with Ghost Stories

Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m., Auburn Lounge

Docents will guide attendees through downtown to taste featured beverages and learn more about the Ghosts of Tao House host sites.

O’Neill Birthday Tribute

Oct. 16, 10 a.m., Tao House

Enjoy a toast to Eugene and a tour of Tao House.