ORPHEUS DESCENDING
by Tennessee Williams
directed by Will Detlefsen

with Lisa Ramirez*, Hunter Bryant*, Robert Parsons*, Natalie Pasquinelli, Susannah Martin, Lizzie Izyumin, and Zolboo Namkhaidorj

assistant direction by Parth Agarwala
set design by Sam Fehr
props design by Heidi Button
costume design by Alexia Dominique Rodriguez
lighting design by Kimberly Scott
sound design by Alexis Brooks, Brooklyn Sound Lab
production stage manager Ka'Nayah Landers-Daniels
assistant stage manager Tajianna Okechukwu 
intimacy coordination by Brittany Mellerson
dialect consulting by Jessica Berman
fight choreography by Raisa Donato

Oakland Theater Project | Oakland, CA | 2026
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“Electrifying… Riveting… A sublime emotional journey… The actors bring the kind of depth to their roles… that surely Williams must have envisioned”
– Jean Schiffman, Bay City News

“Powerhouse Lisa Ramirez... mesmerizes us... The last half hour of this show offers a big reward. Williams provides stunning moments and a climax that feels surprising and inevitable.”
– Jenyth Jo, Theatrius

"Full of memorable characters… [Hunter] Bryant [as Val] is at once charismatic and laconic, earnest and halting, with limited affect (think Marlon Brando), his character saying little more than needs to be said... like a snake shedding its skin, he’s leaving the old wild life behind"
– Victor Cordell, Cordell Reports

“Captivating… blends the mystical and real”
– Kelly Rogers Flynt, BroadwayWorld.com 

“A treat… This production, directed by Will Detlefsen, shows the play at its best through some of the actors, particularly Natalie Pasquinelli as Carol, and Lisa Ramirez in the role of Lady.”
– Richard Wolinsky, KPFA

“The essence of Orpheus Descending lies in the lonely characters and their burning need to escape. We also appreciate the fine acting that carries the show, especially Lisa Ramirez’s powerful performance as Lady Torrance.”
- Emily Mendel, Culture Vulture

​ "Through the extremely talented cast and direction of Orpheus Descending, Oakland Theater Project reminds all of us of the emotional power of theatre. See it." 
— Patricia L. Morin, Front Row Review