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Donald Margulies

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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


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.

Karen Allen & Reed Birney to Star in World Premiere Of Donald Margulies' LUNAR ECLIPSE at Shakespeare & Company

'Lunar Eclipse,' a new play by Donald Margulies, makes its world premiere at Shakespeare & Company. Directed by James Warwick, the play features Karen Allen and Reed Birney as a long-married couple reflecting on life and time during a lunar eclipse.

Primary Stages Reveals Cast for Theresa Rebeck's DIG

Primary Stages has just announced the highly anticipated cast for Theresa Rebeck's DIG. Discover the talented actors set to bring this captivating production to life as performances begin on September 2. Don't miss out on the excitement!

Tangent Theatre Company To Present Play Reading At Tivoli Artists Gallery

Tangent Theatre Company, based in Tivoli NY, has been presenting a series of pop-up play readings around the region, and announces their next show at Tivoli Artists Gallery - a premier Hudson Valley arts venue - with two performances: Sunday, August 20 and Monday, August 21, 2023 (both shows at 6pm; doors open at 5pm).

Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon Will Lead New Off-Broadway Play JOB

Tony nominee Peter Friedman (Ragtime, “Succession,” Single White Female) and Sydney Lemmon (TÁR, “Helstrom,” 'Succession') will star in the world premiere of JOB by Max Wolf Friedlich (SleepOver), directed by Michael Herwitz (Mr. Parker).

Review: SHIPWRECKED on STNJ's Outdoor Stage Thrills with Adventure

Trust The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) to delight and excite theatergoers by presenting an outstanding summertime show on their Outdoor Stage.

David Ives's VENUS IN FUR To Open at McCadden Theatre in August

Samadahi Entertainment is set to present VENUS IN FUR, by David Ives, directed by Mark Blanchard.  The dark comedy with exceedingly complex characters and a fast-paced play within a play, featuring Russian-born multi-award-winning actress KATYUSHA (Ekaterina Melnik) as Vanda, is set to open August 4th through September 3rd, 2023, at McCadden Place Theatre. 

Playing On Air Reveals Summer 2023 Season Of Audio Plays Featuring John Patrick Shanley, Debra Messing & More

Playing on Air has revealed its Summer 2023 podcast season, featuring an exciting lineup of nine audio plays curated and produced by Founder and Consulting Director Claudia Catania.

Tangent Theatre to Present DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies at The Stissing Center's Cellar Space

Tangent Theatre Company, based in Tivoli NY, is planning a new series of pop-up play readings to appear around the region, and has revealed their next show this summer - Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies at the Stissing Center in Pine Plains.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Presents SHIPWRECKED! An Entertainment On The Outdoor Stage

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will re-open its ever-popular Outdoor Stage venue on July 5th with Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) by Donald Margulies.

Erin Daley Appointed Interim Artistic Director of Primary Stages

PRIMARY STAGES has appointed Erin Daley as Interim Artistic Director of Primary Stages, following the passing of longtime Artistic Director Andrew Leynse.

FAT HAM, TITANIQUE & More Win 2023 Off Broadway Alliance Awards

The Off Broadway Alliance, an organization of Off-Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing professionals, just announced the winners of the 12th Annual Off-Broadway Alliance Awards

Finn Wittrock, Reed Birney & More to Star in Shakespeare & Company's 46th Season

Shakespeare & Company has announced the casts for their 46th Season Thieves of Love. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

FAT HAM, TITANIQUE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG & More Nominated for 12th Annual Off Broadway Alliance Awards

The Off Broadway Alliance has announced the nominees for the 12th Annual Off Broadway Alliance Awards, honoring commercial and not-for-profit productions that opened Off Broadway during the 2022-2023 season.

Video: Who Will Win the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama? Watch Live at 3pm!

The Pulitzer Prize Board will present the 2023 award winners for Prizes in Journalism, Books, Drama and Music. Who will win this year? Tune in right here at 3pm to watch the announcement live!

Sanaz Toossi's ENGLISH Wins 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

The Pulitzer Prize Board has just announced that English, by Sanaz Toossi has won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other finalists included: On Sugarland by Aleshea Harris and The Far Country by Lloyd Suh.

Interview: ELLIOT NORTON AWARDS to honor Bobbie Steinbach

Veteran Boston actor Bobbie Steinbach will receive the Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence at the 40th annual Elliot Norton Awards, presented by the Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) on May 8 at the Huntington Theatre.

Primary Stages to Celebrate the Life of Artistic Director Andrew Leynse

PRIMARY STAGES has announced that a celebration of life will be held on Monday April 24, 2023, for Artistic Director Andrew Leynse.

The Human Race Theatre Company Tells Stories In Motion �" A Season of Imagination and Invention

For the upcoming 2023-2024 season, The Human Race Theatre Company sparks creativity, imagination and invention through a season of “Stories in Motion,” with shows inspired by or adapted from existing tales.

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 prestigious awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Time Stands Still," the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Dinner With Friends," "Collected Stories," and "Sight Unseen," and Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dinner with Friends" and "Sight Unseen." He has also been nominated for the Playwriting category at the Obie Awards for "The Model Apartment" and the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Sight Unseen." Margulies' talent and contributions to the theater industry have been recognized and celebrated through these nominations.

Donald Margulies has won several awards for his work in the theater industry. He was awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play "Dinner With Friends." Additionally, he received the Outstanding New Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for the same play. Margulies also won the Outstanding Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for his play "Collected Stories." His play "The Model Apartment" earned him the Playwriting award at the Obie Awards. Lastly, Margulies won the Best New American Play award at the Obie Awards for his play "Sight Unseen."

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