Key West Toasts to Tennessee Williams: A Month-Long Literary Celebration

It's time to tip your hats to a literary legend in Key West, folks! This March, the island that Tennessee Williams once called home is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate the life and works of the iconic playwright. Williams, who crafted classics like “Night of the Iguana” and “The Rose Tattoo” from his Key West residence, is the star of the show all month long—coinciding neatly with his birthday on March 26, 1911.

Kicking off the Tennessee Williams Key West Festival, the Key West Art & Historical Society is pulling out all the stops. Think: VIP museum tours with curator Dennis Beaver, whose collection boasts Williams' original typewriter, first-edition books, and a miniature replica of the writer's home, among other treasures.

But that's just the appetizer. The festival's lineup includes a special one-night reading at the Waterfront Playhouse, a cocktail class that'll get your creative juices flowing, and a garden party fundraiser that promises to be the talk of the town. Plus, film buffs rejoice: Tropic Cinema is screening a Williams marathon, featuring adaptations of his plays including a Key West-filmed “The Rose Tattoo.”

And for those looking to get a little more up-close-and-personal with Williams’ Key West, join Beaver on a historic walking tour or hop on the whimsically named “A Trolley Tour Named Desire.” Cap it all off with a birthday bash at the Tennessee Williams Museum—complete with champagne, cake, and readings by contest winners—marking what would have been the playwright’s 113th birthday.

So, ready your pens (and your party hats) for a month-long tribute to Tennessee Williams, a man whose pen left an indelible mark on Key West and the world of theater. For the full scoop on events and to snag your tickets, visit kwahs.org/museums/tennessee-williams/twfestival. Don't miss out on this literary fiesta—after all, it’s not every day you get to celebrate a Pulitzer Prize winner’s birthday.