Bay Area Premiere

Pickleball

From award-winning playwright and beloved actor Jeff Daniels—known to millions for his acclaimed television roles in The Newsroom and Dumb and Dumber—comes a witty new comedy about pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America. When a group of fiercely competitive neighbors gathers at their local pickleball courts, friendly matches quickly evolve into hilarious showdowns, revealing rivalries, secrets, and surprising friendships. With Daniels’ signature humor and heart, Pickleball explores the quirky ways communities form around shared passions—and how even the simplest game can bring people together. Hillbarn Theatre is thrilled to present this lively Bay Area premiere that celebrates the spirit of community both on and off the court.

Jeff Daniels is an acclaimed actor, playwright, and musician. In 1991, he founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Michigan, where he has developed much of his original work as a playwright.

Pickleball grew out of Daniels' own household — his wife's newfound passion for the sport sparked the idea for a comedy exploring the intensity, petty rivalries, and obsessive devotion the game inspires. The play premiered as a world premiere at the Purple Rose Theatre Company and has since been staged at prominent regional theaters across the country, including the B Street Theatre in Sacramento.