Tony nominee Maureen Anderman (Richard III), who stood by for Vanessa Redgrave in the original Broadway production of the play, stars in the Westport production that begins performances June 12. Nicholas Martin directs.

The June 17 symposium with Didion will follow the 3 PM matinee. Playhouse associate artistic director David Kennedy will speak with Didion about her best-selling memoir that takes an unflinching look at loss and survival.

The Year of Magical Thinking paints a vivid and heartfelt picture of a family dissolving while Didion struggles to maintain security through her grief and memories. Didion relives the death of her husband of 40 years, writer John Gregory Dunne, as the couple sat down for dinner in their New York City apartment.

Complicated by Didion's ailing comatose daughter, Quintana, who Didion would also lose, the events of one night — and the year that followed — are recounted in a candid and intimate manner.

The Year of Magical Thinking played a limited 24-week Broadway run at the Booth Theatre in 2007 and later, a 2008 run at the National Theatre in London. The design team includes Alexander Dodge (set design), Philip S. Rosenberg (lighting design) and Drew Levy (sound design).

For tickets visit WestportPlayhouse.org.