Donald Margulies

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Donald Margulies BIO

Donald Margulies is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, and professor of English and Theater Studies at Yale University. Born in Brooklyn in 1954, Margulies is known for his witty and insightful explorations of family dynamics, love, and loss.
Margulies began his career as a playwright in the 1980s with works such as "Found a Peanut" and "The Loman Family Picnic." However, it wasn't until the 1990s that he gained widespread recognition with his plays "Sight Unseen" and "Collected Stories."
"Sight Unseen," which premiered in 1991 at the Manhattan Theatre Club, tells the story of a successful artist who must confront the woman who inspired his early work. The play explores themes of identity, creativity, and the price of success. "Collected Stories," which premiered in 1996 at the South Coast Repertory Theatre, centers on a young writer who becomes the protégé of a famous author, only to discover her mentor's dark secrets.
In 2000, Margulies won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play "Dinner with Friends." The play, which premiered at the Humana Festival of New American Plays, follows two couples as they navigate the complexities of marriage and friendship. "Dinner with Friends" was later adapted into an HBO movie, which Margulies also wrote.
Margulies has also had success as a screenwriter. He wrote the screenplay for the 1993 film "The End of the Tour," which tells the story of a journalist who interviews the writer David Foster Wallace. Additionally, he wrote the screenplay for the 2001 film "The Safety of Objects," which was based on his own short stories.
In addition to his work as a playwright and screenwriter, Margulies is a professor of English and Theater Studies at Yale University. He has also taught at the Juilliard School, the Yale School of Drama, and the University of California, Irvine.
Margulies continues to be a prolific and influential voice in American theater. His most recent work includes the play "Long Lost," which premiered at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2019. The play centers on two estranged brothers who reunite after many years, and explores themes of family, memory, and forgiveness.

Donald Margulies Photos

Donald Margulies Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Play

Donald Margulies, Time Stands Still

The Pulitzer Prize - 2000 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Donald Margulies, Dinner With Friends

Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding New Play

Donald Margulies, Dinner with Friends

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Play

Donald Margulies, Collected Stories

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Play

Donald Margulies, Collected Stories

Obie Awards - 1996 - Playwriting

Donald Margulies, The Model Apartment

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding New Play

Donald Margulies, Sight Unseen

Obie Awards - 1992 - Best New American Play

Donald Margulies, Sight Unseen

Donald Margulies Videos

Donald Margulies News


DINNER WITH FRIENDS Begins Performances At The Zephyr Theatre In April

DINNER WITH FRIENDS at the Zephyr Theatre, directed by Peter Allas, will run from April 4 to 28.

DINNER WITH FRIENDS To Be Presented At The Zephyr Theatre This April

DINNER WITH FRIENDS, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Donald Margulies, will be presented by Adriano Aragon and Foursome Productions at the Zephyr Theatre.

Interview: Bruce Nozick Slickly Wears His BESPOKE OVERCOAT

Currently at Pacific Resident Theatre, Wolf Mankowitz’ The Bespoke Overcoat which opened March 9, 2024. Marilyn Fox & Dana Jackson co-direct the cast of: Harry Herman, Robert Lesser, Bruce Nozick and Tobias Echeverria. Had the chance to cover Bruce with some queries on bespoking his Overcoat. 

SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT Comes to Cinnabar Theater Next Month

Petaluma’s premier theater company, Cinnabar Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Nathan Cummings and Executive Director Diane Dragone, continues their 51st season with  “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)”.

Primary Stages Announces 2024 Fresh Ink Reading Series And Playwriting Cohort

Explore the 2024 Fresh Ink Reading Series and Playwriting Cohort announced by Primary Stages. Discover new talents and upcoming plays in the world of Broadway.

Big Laughs And High Seas With SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT

Join The Human Race Theatre Company for a comedic adventure on the high seas with 'SHIPWRECKED! An Entertainment.' Experience the amazing adventures of Louis de Rougement as he weaves a mesmerizing tale of survival, bravery, and fame. Get ready for laughter, thrills, and a touch of theatrical spectacle.

New Dramatists Will Honor Michael Greif At Annual Spring Luncheon This May

New Dramatists will honor Michael Greif, the acclaimed director of this season's Days of Wine and Roses, The Notebook and Hell's Kitchen at its Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 14.

Charles Busch, Judy Kaye, Jen Cody & More to Star in IBSEN'S GHOST at George Street Playhouse

George Street Playhouse in association with Primary Stages has revealed the complete cast for IBSEN’S GHOST: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy, a new play written by and starring Tony Award nominee Charles Busch.

JOB, Starring Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon, Returns Off-Broadway Next Month

JOB, the critically acclaimed psychological thriller about the toll life on the internet takes on all of us, which played a sold-out, twice-extended Off Broadway run this fall, will return for an encore engagement next month.  Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!

Tangent Theatre To Present THE SEAFARER Reading At The Stissing Center

Tangent Theatre presents 'The Seafarer' reading at The Stissing Center. Join us for this critically acclaimed black comedy exploring regret, family, and supernatural encounters on Christmas Eve in Dublin, Ireland. RSVP required.

Andy Grotelueschen & Nicholas Edwards to Join New Maltby & Shire Musical THE COUNTRY WIFE at Red Bull Theater

Andy Grotelueschen will replace the previously announced Jacob Ming-Trent for the first major New York presentation of Maltby & Shire’s new musical, The Country Wife at Red Bull Theater.

Interact Theatre Company to Present Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play Series at the Los Angeles Public Library

Get ready to immerse yourself in a series of Pulitzer Prize-winning plays presented by INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY in collaboration with the Los Angeles Public Library. From January to May 2024, don't miss the chance to experience these captivating performances for free at the Studio City Branch Library.

SCR Managing Director Paula Tomei Will Step Down After 44 Years

South Coast Repertory announced that Managing Director Paula Tomei will step down at the end of the current season—SCR's 60th and her 44th, with the last 30 years serving as managing director.

DreamWrights Center for Community Arts Reveals 2024 Season

DreamWrights Center for Community Arts unveils its highly anticipated 2024 America Season on this momentous Election Day. Embracing the spirit of democracy, DreamWrights invites audiences to join in for an enlightening and entertaining exploration of American history through a diverse and captivating series of productions.

Brad Oscar, Jelani Remy, Christina Sajous & More to Star in in THE COUNTRY WIFE at Red Bull Theater

Get the latest news on Red Bull Theater's upcoming production of THE COUNTRY WIFE, featuring an incredible cast including Nicholas Christopher, Carson Elrod, Eddie Korbich, Kristolyn Lloyd, Jacob Ming-Trent, Brad Oscar, Jelani Remy, and Lauren Worsham. Don't miss this one-night-only event.

Theresa Rebeck's DIG Extended For Two Weeks at Primary Stages

Dig, a new play written and directed by Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck (Bernhardt/Hamlet, Downstairs at Primary Stages), has been extended for two weeks. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Hunter Parrish, Erin Davie & More to Lead BALLAD OF DREAMS Industry Presentation

Based on the best-selling novel, Ballad of Dreams a new musical, will get an invite-only industry presentation on October 12, 2023, at Pearl Studios. 

Andy Karl, Orfeh, Javier Muñoz & More to Join Primary Stages 39th Anniversary Gala

Get all the details about the upcoming Primary Stages 39th Anniversary Gala, where Kate Hamill and Beth Blickers will be honored. Find out when and where this star-studded event will take place. Plus, catch performances by Judy Gold, Andy Karl, and Orfeh.

World Premiere of JOB Extends Through Mid-October at SoHo Playhouse

JOB, the world premiere of a new play by Max Wolf Friedlich, starring Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon has extended its critically acclaimed run.

Interview: Arye Gross Watching BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA & More

The Los Angeles premiere of Anna Ouyang Moench’s Birds of North America opens September 23, 2023, at The Odyssey Theatre (with previews starting September 20th). Peter Richards directs this narrative of a father and daughter relationship with the cast of Arye Gross and Jacqueline Misaye. I got the chance to examine some of Arye’s views on Birds and his eventful theatrical career.

Donald Margulies FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Donald Margulies has written 13 shows including Found a Peanut (Playwright), Sight Unseen (Playwright), The Loman Family Picnic (Playwright), What's Wrong With This Picture? (Playwright), The Model Apartment (Playwright), Dinner with Friends (Playwright), Sight Unseen (Playwright), Brooklyn Boy (Playwright), Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself) (Playwright), Time Stands Still (Playwright), Collected Stories (Playwright), The Country House (Author), Long Lost (Playwright).

Donald Margulies has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Time Stands Still," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Dinner With Friends," "Collected Stories," and "Sight Unseen," Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dinner with Friends" and "Sight Unseen," Playwriting at the Obie Awards for "The Model Apartment," Best New American Play at the Obie Awards for "Sight Unseen," and the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Sight Unseen."

Donald Margulies has won several prestigious awards for his work in theater. These include The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Dinner With Friends," Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Dinner with Friends," Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Collected Stories," Playwriting (Obie Awards) for "The Model Apartment," and Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for "Sight Unseen."

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