PERFORMING ARTS

Conversations with Terrence McNally

Univ. Pr. of Mississippi. Jan. 2023. 208p. ed. by Raymond-Jean Frontain. ISBN 9781496843227. pap. $25. THEATER
COPY ISBN
Nineteen essays and interviews spanning from 1974 through 2018 on prolific American playwright Terrence McNally (1938–2020) comprise this important and outstanding trim volume by Frontain (Theatre of Terrence McNally: Something About Grace). Often in Q&As with McNally, the book offers insights into his art, career, and life. Sometimes these “conversations” come from interviews or in the form of extensive quotes, but McNally’s forthrightness and self-awareness of his life and art are consistently compelling. McNally’s “Select Works” provided at the beginning of the volume give ample evidence of the productive playwright best known for such works as Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Ritz, It’s Only a Play, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Ragtime, Love! Valour! Compassion!, and Master Class, and many others. An extensive, well-written, and thorough introductory biographical essay and chronology precede the interviews and essays.
VERDICT This highly recommended collection will be an essential addition to all libraries with theater collections.
Reviewed by Herbert E. Shapiro , Feb 24, 2023
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

A Thousand Threads: A Memoir
by Cherry, Neneh
NONFICTION

The Purple One: Prince, Race, Gender, and Everything in Between
NONFICTION

American Noir Film: From ‘The Maltese Falcon’ to ‘Gone Girl’
by Booker, M. Keith
NONFICTION

Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music
by Sheffield, Rob
NONFICTION

‘Giant’ Love: Edna Ferber, Her Best-Selling Novel of Texas, and the Making of a Classic American Film
by Gilbert, Julie
NONFICTION

Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King
by Lauterbach, Preston
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?