“Lindsey Ferrentino’s overpowering new work, based on the true story of a man named Nick Yarris, who served twenty-one years on death row for a murder he didn’t commit.”
Theater Pizzazz StaffFull Review
PlayOriginal
PLAYORIGINALCLOSED
The Fear of 13
James Earl Jones Theatre · 1h 36m · Opened Apr 15, 2026 · Closed Jul 12, 2026 · Ran for 3 months
Critics' Take
Critics are mixed on this death row drama, praising Adrien Brody's committed Broadway debut but finding the documentary adaptation uneven and less compelling than its source material, with many questioning what the stage version adds.
This show has closed — tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
29 reviewsSort:
“Affecting a slightly bent and not entirely confident gait, Brody—who bears no resemblance to the bald Yarris of the documentary—can’t be faulted in the least for his portrayal.”
“And I found this great American actor to be deeply affecting at the core of Cromer’s powerful production, his lean body and craggy features contorting into a complicated, scarred and fundamentally likable character who constantly has to motivate himself to draw another breath.”
“He brings all this to bear in a performance that goes beyond the thrill of seeing a movie star’s first time on stage.”
“On stage, he’s a real theater animal and his performance is immeasurably enhanced by a face and body that rivet an audience’s attention for two straight hours.”
Audience Scorecard
3.0K audience reviews
A-
Liking It
Awards Scorecard
2025-26 season23
Nominated
Nominated for Best Lighting Design (Play)
Drama Desk:1 nom
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about The Fear of 13?
Critics are mixed on this death row drama, praising Adrien Brody's committed Broadway debut but finding the documentary adaptation uneven and less compelling than its source material, with many questioning what the stage version adds. (CriticScore 60/100 from 29 reviews.)
Is The Fear of 13 worth seeing?
Only if you're a devoted fan. Critics are mixed on The Fear of 13 (60/100 from 29 reviews). Most suggest you could skip it.
What is the CriticScore for The Fear of 13?
The Fear of 13 has a CriticScore of 60/100 based on 29 professional reviews. This show is rated "Mixed".
Is The Fear of 13 still running on Broadway?
No, The Fear of 13 has closed. It played at James Earl Jones Theatre and closed on July 12, 2026.
How long is The Fear of 13?
The Fear of 13 has a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes with no intermission.
Is The Fear of 13 appropriate for children?
The Fear of 13 is recommended for Ages 14+.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueA beautifully restored theater with a stunning Tiffany-inspired interior. The 2021 renovation transformed restroom facilities from among Broadway's worst to a model for the industry, with modern bathrooms on every public level.
Original Broadway Cast
- Adrien BrodyMan 1Broadway debut
- Tessa ThompsonJacki MilesBroadway debut
- Michael CavinderMan 5Broadway debut
- Eddie CooperMan 6
- Victor CruzMan 3Broadway debut
- Eboni FlowersEnsemble
- Jared Wayne GladlyEnsemble
- Joe JosephEnsemble
Creative Team
- Lindsey FerrentinoPlaywright
- David CromerDirector
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 60/100 (29 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Apr 15, 2026
- Closed
- Jul 12, 2026
- Run Length
- 3 months
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Age
- Ages 14+
- Synopsis
- Based on the acclaimed 2015 documentary, this play tells the extraordinary true story of Nick Yarris, an American wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death row, who spent over two decades fighting to prove his innocence. Starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson.
- Data Last Updated
- September 13, 2026
