Concord Theatricals has announced its acquisition of the worldwide English-language licensing rights to “The Fear of 13.” The play will be made available for licensing to professional and amateur theater companies through the Samuel French imprint; see Concord’s website for more details, including licensing availability.
“The Fear of 13” is based on the documentary film of the same name, following the true story of Nick Yarris, who spent more than 20 years in prison after a wrongful conviction. In the play, Nick recounts his life, arrest and imprisonment through conversations with anti-death-penalty volunteer Jacki, inspiring her to help Nick regain his freedom.
“I’m so honored that Concord is publishing not only ‘The Fear of 13,’ but has been my publisher since I started writing 10 years ago,” said playwright Lindsey Ferrentino in a statement. “My hope is that Nick Yarris’ true-life story will reach a wide audience — from high schools and universities to theaters and prisons — and open up conversations about criminal legal system reform and the death penalty across the country. But above all, it’s a story about radical optimism, and the determination to hold on to hope and humanity even in the face of profound injustice.”
“The Fear of 13” premiered at London’s Donmar Warehouse in 2024, where it was nominated for two Olivier Awards, including Best New Play. The drama officially opened at Broadway’s James Earl Jones Theatre on April 15, 2026, in a production starring Adrien Brody as Nick (reprising his role from the off West End production) and Tessa Thompson as Jacki. Directed by David Cromer, “The Fear of 13” ran on Broadway through June 28, garnering two Tony Award nominations: Best Lighting Design of a Play (Heather Gilbert) and Best Sound Design of a Play (Lee Kinney).
Concord Theatricals is the theatrical arm of global music company BMG, providing licensing, publishing, cast recording and producing services to theatermakers worldwide. The licensor’s catalog includes other works by Ferrentino: “Amy and the Orphans” and its gender-swapped version “Andy and the Orphans,” “This Flat Earth” and “Ugly Lies the Bone.” Among Concord’s recent acquisitions are the Tony-nominated Best Play “Giant,” the musical adaptation of “Almost Famous” and the Tony-winning play “Stereophonic.”
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