by the NHFPL Communications Team, May 2025
The New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) is proud to wind up this season of our newly revived partnership with Long Wharf Theatre (LWT) by celebrating their latest production, Unbecoming Tragedy: A Ritual Journey Towards Destiny. This bold and timely play explores themes of identity, justice, grief, and transformation—prompting audiences to reflect on the personal and societal narratives that shape our lives. Visit your nearest location to borrow a voucher redeemable for two free admissions to see the play (while supplies last)!
About the Microbranch
To deepen the conversation beyond the stage, we’ve curated a special microbranch book collection inspired by the themes of Unbecoming Tragedy. This collection includes a diverse range of titles—from memoirs and novels to social justice essays and reimagined classics—designed to spark dialogue and invite exploration of the questions raised in the play. Browse the microbranch onsite at the theater, or visit the Ives Main Library to explore additional titles related to the show’s themes.
Whether you’re seeing the performance or simply interested in the issues it addresses, our curated collections offer a meaningful way to engage with the material and connect it to your own reading journey.
📚 Browse the full collection at the Ives Main Library or at the Off-Broadway Theatre at 41 Broadway.
🎭 Learn more about Unbecoming Tragedy and purchase tickets at https://www.longwharf.org/events/unbecoming-tragedy-2
About the Show
What does it mean to reclaim our own narrative? Stripped of everything but his own imagination, a struggling actor transforms his prison cell into an unexpected stage. In this gripping exploration of resilience and identity, one question lingers—when all that remains is you, how do you rewrite your own fate? Unbecoming Tragedy: A Ritual Journey Toward Destiny is a powerful tale of redemption, identity, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Long Wharf Theatre, in partnership with Collective Consciousness Theatre, presents the world premiere of Unbecoming Tragedy. Be captivated by this awe-inspiring journey into the depths of introspection and resilience.
LOCATION: Off-Broadway Theater, 41 Broadway
The Off-Broadway Theater (OBT) is in a pedestrian zone behind the Apple Store and Toad’s Place. Follow the walking path starting next to either the Yale Bookstore/Apple Store, Toad’s Place, or across from the Payne Whitney Gym. The path closest to the Payne Whitney Gym has stairs.
RUNTIME: 90 min; no intermission
RECOMMENDED AGES: The show is recommended for ages 16+.
CONTENT WARNING: This piece contains mature language and themes, including themes of incarceration, grief, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse.
About the Partnership
This collaboration continues NHFPL’s mission to be a space for education, connection, and cultural enrichment. We believe in the power of storytelling—on stage and on the page—to challenge assumptions, build empathy, and inspire change.