Playhouse On The Square Gives Dystopian Reality Life With Regional Premiere

The Circuit Playhouse, in partnership with Karen McCarthy and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, present the Regional Premiere of the theatrical adaptation to George Orwell's formerly banned novel.

1984 brings us the story of Winston Smith, a cog in the giant machine state of Oceania. Under the close eye of Big Brother, Winston has been caught struggling for scraps of love and freedom in a world awash with distrust and violence. With the brutal "help" of four Party Members, Winston is forced to confess his Thoughtcrimes before an unseen inquisitor, and the audience - who act as a silent witness to his torture.

The retelling of the literary masterpiece falls in the hands of Playhouse on the Square Associate Company Member Danny Crowe (A Perfect Arrangement, Fun Home), as Winston Smith. The ensemble cast is anchored by Resident Company Member Brooke Papritz (Significant Other, Little Women: The Broadway Musical) in the role of Julia. Multiple Ostrander winner and Resident Company Member, Courtney Oliver (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Peter Pan) heads this project as director.

The complete cast of 1984 is as follows:

Cast List

Winston - Danny Crowe

Julia - Brooke Papritz

O'Brien - Greg Boller

Charrington - Jason Gerhard

Parsons - David Hammons

Syme - Kevar Maffitt

Martin - Chase Ring

Mother - Claire Rutkauskas

Child - CJ Santo

Directed by Courtney Oliver

Assistant Director - John Smiley

Stage Manager - Savannah Thibodeaux

Scenic Designer/Technical Director/Production Manager - Phillip Hughen

Lighting Designer - Terry Eikleberry

Costume Designer - Lindsay Schmeling

Sound Designer - Carter McHann

Please be aware 1984 contains partial nudity, sexual situations, graphic violence, and torture.

Performances will run Thursday - Saturday 8:00 pm curtain and with 2:00 pm curtain on Sunday. Matinee performances for school groups are also available select days during the week. For tickets, call the Box Office at (901) 726-4656 or visit our website www.playhouseonthesquare.org. Follow with social media using #BigBrother901. Group rates available.

Special ticket pricing for opening weekend $25. Pay What You Can performance, sponsored by Arts First and the First Tennessee Foundation is April 25th.

For questions and booking, please contact Playhouse on the Square Director of Community Relations, Marcus Cox (901) 937-6496.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Lead Performer in a Play - Top 3

1. Daniel Radcliffe - Every Brilliant Thing

28.2% of votes

2. Nathan Lane - Death of a Salesman

12.8% of votes

3. Ayo Edebiri - Proof

6.4% of votes

Vote Now! View Live Stats