Michelle Williams dives into O'Neill's 'Anna Christie'

Eugene O'Neill's "Anna Christie," originally titled "Chris," underwent a significant transformation, shifting its focus to the titular character. Michelle Williams, drawn to the protagonist's complexity, embodies this figure with intense dedication, describing her connection to such roles as an "inarticulate response" that "attaches itself like a harpoon."

The play grapples with profound themes of immigration, displacement, and trauma. It meticulously examines how individuals carry their past experiences, particularly women, and the arduous journey toward reclaiming autonomy and freedom in a world that often judges them harshly.

Director Thomas Kail's production captures the play's tactile vitality, blending plush and grimy elements. Despite initial critical reception to its unconventional ending, the staging preserves the story's enduring questions about Anna's liberation, underscored by Williams's luminous performance.