About the Show

Vivian Neuwirth's new drama creates a deeply personal reflection on the life of John Kennedy Toole, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "A Confederacy of Dunces. "

From the show:

Before he was an author, John Kennedy Toole was a teacher. That’s how Lisette, one of his students at an all-girl’s college in New Orleans, knew him and loved him.

Through her eyes, amid the music, magic, and mystery of The Big Easy we, too, learn to love “Mr. Toole.” The teacher a student will never forget becomes a legend the world will always remember.

Critic Reviews (7)

"Trying to Remember Teacher: Vivian Neuwirth’s play is a fictionalized recollection of the life of the novelist John Kennedy Toole, who died before his Pulitzer-Prize winning classic 'A Confederacy of Dunces' was published."
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"'MR. TOOLE' at 59E59 Theaters Depicts a Captivating Backstory of John Kennedy Toole"
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"An irritating and unfocused work dominated by two highly unpleasant characters whose professions of adoration are really smoke screens for their narcissism."
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4/5 Stars. "A new play about 'Confederacy of Dunces' author John Kennedy Toole reflects on the toll and rewards of inspiration, with intensity and subtle wit."
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"The life story of writer John Kennedy Toole is the classic tragedy of an artistic genius."
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"Vivian Neuwirth's biographical tribute, Mr. Toole, is a fascinating but cluttered account of this story. However, without program notes or previous knowledge, the play will leave many theatergoers at sea as the novel is not mentioned until at least halfway through the play."
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"A riveting memory play about John Kennedy Toole...A story of an overbearing mother dedicated only to her son and his success. Stars Ryan Spahn as low-key Ken with an outstanding performance."
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Cast and creative team