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John Guare

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

John Guare is an American playwright and screenwriter. He is best known as the author of The House of Blue Leaves and Six Degrees of Separation.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 1999]
Additional Material[uncredited]
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Script Consultant
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1977]
Costume Designer
 
[West End, 1973]
Adaptation

Writing

Bookwriter
Playwright
Playwright
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Adaptation
Adaptation
Adaptation
Writer
Playwright
Playwright
Songs
Playwright
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations

The Pulitzer Prize - 2011 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

John Guare, A Free Man of Color

The Pulitzer Prize - 2011 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

John Guare, A Free Man of Color

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Book of a Musical

John Guare, Sweet Smell of Success


winner
Olivier Awards - 1993 - BBC Award for the Play of the Year

John GuareSix Degrees Of Separation

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Play

John Guare, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Play

John Guare, Six Degrees of Separation

The Pulitzer Prize - 1991 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

John Guare, Six Degrees of Separation

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Play

John Guare, Six Degrees of Separation

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding New Play

John Guare, Six Degrees of Separation

Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Best New Play

John Guare, Landscape of the Body


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1972 - Outstanding Book

John Guare, Two Gentlemen of Verona


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1972 - Outstanding Lyrics

John Guare, Two Gentlemen of Verona


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1972 - Best Musical

John Guare, Two Gentlemen of Verona


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Book of a Musical

John Guare, Two Gentlemen of Verona

Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Guare, Two Gentlemen of Verona


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1971 - Best American Play

John Guare, The House of Blue Leaves


winner
Obie Awards - 1971 - Best New American Play

John Guare, House of Blue Leaves


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1971 - Other Awards

John Guare, The House of Blue Leaves


winner
Obie Awards - 1968 - Distinguished Plays

John GuareMuzzeha

News

Cast Set for Red Bull Theater's SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026

Red Bull Theater has revealed the cast for their annual Short New Play Festival 2026 to be held at Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Peter Norton Symphony Space in June.
Hermitage Artist Retreat to Host Artful Lobster Benefit and Greenfield Prize Dinner
by A.A. Cristi - May 26, 2026

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announced dates for two upcoming benefit events: the Artful Lobster on Manasota Key and the Greenfield Prize Dinner in Sarasota, honoring theater with a $35,000 national commission.
Ed Harris, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Allison Janney, and More Will Lead OTHER DESERT CITIES on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - May 26, 2026

Ed Harris has revealed that he will be returning to the stage this year, starring alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney in a production of Jon Robin Baitz's family drama, Other Desert Cities.
FINGERS CROSSED Solo Show to Make One-Night-Only Workshop Debut in NYC
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026

Stacy Cancelarich's solo show FINGERS CROSSED, a comedy about caring for a dying father amid COVID lockdown and family chaos, will perform one night only at Paradise Factory Theater as part of Diamond Mesh's Manifestival.
Meet the Cast of FALLEN ANGELS, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2026

Performances are underway for the Roundabout Theatre Company production of Fallen Angels by Noël Coward, directed by Tony Award-nominee Scott Ellis. Meet the cast of Fallen Angels here!
Pandora Productions Opens SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2026

Pandora Productions will present the acclaimed play SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, opening tonight, offering a compelling exploration of societal connections and human relationships.
Signature Theatre Reveals Performers and Special Guests For 35th Anniversary Gala
by Stephi Wild - Feb 23, 2026

Signature Theatre has announced performers and special guests for its 35th Anniversary Gala, set for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Edison Ballroom. Learn more here!
Meet the Cast of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2026

Death of a Salesman is back on Broadway! Arthur Miller’s American drama will star three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, two-time Tony Award winner Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers. Meet the cast of Death of a Salesman here!
All-American Cast Will Lead OPERATION MINCEMEAT on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2026

Tony and Olivier Award-winning Operation Mincemeat announced that an all-American cast will lead the British-made musical for the first time ever. Learn more and meet the cast here!
Prohibition-Era Musical Comedy FIFTH AVENUE to Have Industry Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2026

Following a string of sold-out performances at Don't Tell Mama and a celebrated presentation at The York Theatre, the new musical comedy Fifth Avenue will have an exclusive, industry-only Salon Reading.
Submissions Open for Red Bull Theater's SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2026

Submissions are open for Red Bull Theater's 16th Short New Play Festival 2026- Refinished. Six brand new 10-minute plays of heightened language and classic themes inspired by this year’s theme, “Refinished,” will be selected.
2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Judges and Key Dates Revealed
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2026

The 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced the Judging Panel for the 48th Annual Award. The Winner of the 2026 Prize will be announced on February 26 in a special invitation-only celebration at London's Royal Court Theatre.
Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf and Christopher Abbott to Star in DEATH OF A SALESMAN Revival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025

Three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, two-time Tony Award winner Laurie Metcalf, and Christopher Abbott will return to Broadway in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.
Review: SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS at Jazz At Lincoln Center Is Transfer-Worthy
by Gregory Fletcher - Nov 24, 2025

If Encores can transfer many of its productions to Broadway, why not MasterVoices—starting with its current revival of Sweet Smell of Success? If you missed its brief run (November 21–22), keep an eye out for future MasterVoices offerings. The show proved to be an electric, full-throttle performance within the grand Frederick P. Rose Hall, part of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Review: THE MOTHER PLAY: A PLAY IN FIVE EVICTIONS at Studio Theatre
by David Friscic - Nov 19, 2025

The autobiographical world of playwright Paula Vogel comes alive in the illuminating and fragilely evocative “tone poem” of a play entitled The Mother Play at the Studio Theatre. This very moving and occasionally caustic play explores all the hard issues of life in a family—such as death, illness, financial problems and –above all—the dislocation that occurs from constant moving to new locations. (Indeed, the subtitle of the play is “ A Play in Five Evictions”). The Herman family is composed of a very peripatetic mother who has survived the onslaught of a divorce and unwanted children, but she passes so much rage onto her two children, and she drowns herself in martinis.
Video: Raul Esparza Talks THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS On NBC New York
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 13, 2025

Four time Tony-nominee Raúl Esparza recently spoke with NBC New York about taking on the role of J.J. Hunsecker in MasterVoices’ newly revised concert edition of Sweet Smell of Success. Watch the video!
Ali Louis Bourzgui, Noah J. Ricketts & Aline Mayagoitia Join Mastervoices’ SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2025

MasterVoices has announced the full cast for its newly revised concert edition of the musical Sweet Smell of Success, running for three performances on November 21–22, 2025, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
Meet the Cast of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2025

Performances are now underway for the Broadway premiere of The Queen of Versailles. Previews begin on October 8. Meet the cast of The Queen of Versailles here and read bios of the show's stars and cast!
John Lloyd Young to Launch Centenary Stage Company 2025-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 10, 2025

Centenary Stage Company's 2025-26 Season will kick off with a Curtain Up! Gala concert performance by John Lloyd Young. Learn more and see how to attend.
Raúl Esparza & Lizzy McAlpine to Lead SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS Concert
by Michael Major - Aug 26, 2025

Master Voices will present a concert production of Sweet Smell of Success in November starring Raúl Esparza and Lizzy McAlpine. Esparza will play J.J. Hunsecker, with Floyd Collins alum McAlpine playing Susan.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has John Guare written?

John Guare has written 25 shows including Muzeeka/ Red Cross (Playwright), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Adaptation), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Bookwriter), Rich and Famous (Bookwriter), Landscape of the Body (Composer), Bosoms and Neglect (Playwright), Sophisticated Ladies (Lyricist), The One Act Play Festival (Playwright), Lydie Breeze (Playwright), Orchards (Adaptation), The House of Blue Leaves (Playwright), Six Degrees Of Separation (Playwright), Four Baboons Adoring the Sun (Playwright), Love's Fire: Fresh Numbers by Seven American Playwrights (Playwright), Marco Polo Sings a Solo (Playwright), Lake Hollywood (Playwright), Lydie Breeze, Parts I & II (Playwright), Chaucer in Rome (Playwright), Sweet Smell of Success (Bookwriter), A Few Stout Individuals (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (1) (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (2) (Playwright), A Free Man Of Color (Playwright), Three Kinds of Exile (Playwright), Desire (Writer).

What awards has John Guare been nominated for?

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for A Free Man of Color, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for A Free Man of Color, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sweet Smell of Success, BBC Award for the Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Six Degrees Of Separation, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Six Degrees of Separation, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Six Degrees of Separation, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Six Degrees of Separation, Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Six Degrees of Separation, Best New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Landscape of the Body, Outstanding Book (Drama Desk Awards) for Two Gentlemen of Verona, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Two Gentlemen of Verona, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Two Gentlemen of Verona, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Two Gentlemen of Verona , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Two Gentlemen of Verona, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The House of Blue Leaves, Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for House of Blue Leaves, Other Awards (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The House of Blue Leaves and Distinguished Plays (Obie Awards) for Muzzeha.

What awards has John Guare won?

John Guare has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the BBC Award for the Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Six Degrees of Separation. He won the Best Play award at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards also for Six Degrees of Separation. Guare received Outstanding Book and Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards, both for Two Gentlemen of Verona, which also earned him the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. He won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Two Gentlemen of Verona. Additionally, he received the Best American Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle for The House of Blue Leaves, and the Best New American Play award from the Obie Awards for The House of Blue Leaves. His work in The House of Blue Leaves also garnered him an Other Awards recognition from the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Lastly, he won the Distinguished Plays award from the Obie Awards for Muzzeha.

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