selected to compete in the American College Theatre Festival's 1986 regional competition in Colorado Springs. On the strength of this showing it was selected to be presented at the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts as one of the 1986 National Winners. The play was then revived by the Group Theatre in Seattle, Washington in 1987. The play was first covered by the New York Times when it was shown at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In 1987 the play was performed in Washington, D.C., at the New Playwrights Theatre. The play was produced in Los Angeles by the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in 1989. Historical casting Film adaptation In 1994 the play was adapted into the film Nell starring Jodie Foster and Liam Neeson. Foster had heard of the play, and purchased the film rights. Her friend and producer Renée Missel saw the Los Angeles production in 1989 and the two contacted Handley. The film script differs greatly from the stage play, with a script also by Handley, co-written with William Nicholson. Jodie Foster was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. References 1992 plays American plays adapted into films Fictional languages