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Donald Margulies

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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 2015 film "The End of the Tour," which tells the story of a journalist who interviews the writer David Foster Wallace.
In addition to his work as a playwright and screenwriter, Margulies is a professor of English and Theater Studies at Yale University.
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. His latest play, Lunar Eclipse, had its world premiere at Shakespeare & Company in 2023.

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Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Play

Donald Margulies, Time Stands Still


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2000 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Donald Margulies, Dinner With Friends


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding New Play

Donald Margulies, Dinner with Friends


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Play

Donald Margulies, Collected Stories

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Play

Donald Margulies, Collected Stories

The Pulitzer Prize - 1997 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Donald Margulies, Collected Stories

The Pulitzer Prize - 1997 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Donald Margulies, Collected Stories


winner
Obie Awards - 1996 - Playwriting

Donald Margulies, The Model Apartment

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding New Play

Donald Margulies, Sight Unseen


winner
Obie Awards - 1992 - Best New American Play

Donald Margulies, Sight Unseen

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1992 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Donald Margulies, Sight Unseen

Videos

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News


Student Blog: Theater Things I've Loved Recently Photo
Student Blog: Theater Things I've Loved Recently
by Student Blogger:Elizabeth Lienhardt - Jun 5, 2025

It’s the summertime, so I can now indulge in well-loved media and find new things to obsess over! So many wonderful theatre moments have recently inspired me to write this blog highlighting some of my favorites. From recent Broadway hits to vintage sleeper shows, here are some shows, cast recordings, and theatrical campaigns I’ve loved recently!
Review Roundup: LUNAR ECLIPSE at Second Stage Theater Photo
Review Roundup: LUNAR ECLIPSE at Second Stage Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2025

Read the reviews for Lunar Eclipse at Second Stage Theater in BroadwayWorld's Review Roundup. Learn more about the production and see what the critics are saying here!
SUNSET DINER by Kevin Cheng is Coming To East Village Basement Photo
SUNSET DINER by Kevin Cheng is Coming To East Village Basement
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2025

Sunset Diner, a new psychological thriller play written by Kevin Cheng and directed by Alysia Homminga, will take stage at the East Village Basement in June. Learn more!
Top Off-Broadway Shows for June 2025 Photo
Top Off-Broadway Shows for June 2025
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 1, 2025

What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is here to guide you through the top picks for theatre for the month of June! Learn more about upcoming Off-Broadway shows.
Tangent Theatre Hosts BETRAYAL Reading at The Stissing Center Photo
Tangent Theatre Hosts BETRAYAL Reading at The Stissing Center
by Stephi Wild - May 28, 2025

Tangent Theatre Company will host a reading of BETRAYAL by Harold Pinter; to be held next weekend in the downstairs space at The Stissing Center for Arts and Culture.
AN ILIAD Begins Performances At Undermain Theatre In June Photo
AN ILIAD Begins Performances At Undermain Theatre In June
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2025

Undermain Theatre will present a special encore presentation of  An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare from the Robert Fagles translation of Homer. This limited engagement runs June 12 through June 29, 2025. 
Photos: COLLECTED STORIES Starring Grace Kiley and Christina Toth Photo
Photos: COLLECTED STORIES Starring Grace Kiley and Christina Toth
by A.A. Cristi - May 10, 2025

Donald Margulies' Collected Stories, featuring acclaimed performers Grace Kiley and Christina Toth (Orange Is the New Black) is now playing at The East Village Basement. See photos of the production.
THE OTHER PLACE Reading Comes to Tangent Theatre Company Photo
THE OTHER PLACE Reading Comes to Tangent Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2025

Tangent Theatre Company, based in Tivoli NY, has presented a series of pop-up play readings over the past few years, with their next performance a presentation of a modern classic: THE OTHER PLACE by Sharr White.
Interview: Theatre Life with S. Katy Tucker Photo
Interview: Theatre Life with S. Katy Tucker
by Elliot Lanes - Apr 29, 2025

Today’s subject S. Katy Tucker is currently living her theatre life as the projection designer for Washington National Opera’s (WNO) production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. The production runs May 2nd through 10th in the Opera House at Kennedy Center.
Reed Birney and Lisa Emery to Star in LUNAR ECLIPSE at Second Stage Theater Photo
Reed Birney and Lisa Emery to Star in LUNAR ECLIPSE at Second Stage Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 18, 2025

Second Stage Theater will conclude its 46th Season with the New York Premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies’ LUNAR ECLIPSE. Learn more and see how to attend.
Laura Linney Joins MGM+ Theater Series AMERICAN CLASSIC Photo
Laura Linney Joins MGM+ Theater Series AMERICAN CLASSIC
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 15, 2025

Laura Linney is set to star alongside Kevin Kline and Jon Tenney in American Classic, the upcoming half-hour theater-themed series from co-creators Michael Hoffman and Bob Martin.
Grace Kiley and Christina Toth Will Lead COLLECTED STORIES in the East Village Photo
Grace Kiley and Christina Toth Will Lead COLLECTED STORIES in the East Village
by Stephi Wild - Apr 7, 2025

This May, the vibrant heart of the East Village becomes home to Donald Margulies' captivating drama Collected Stories, featuring acclaimed performers Grace Kiley and Christina Toth.
Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Iconic Plays That Shaped American Theater Photo
Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Iconic Plays That Shaped American Theater
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 30, 2025

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is one of the most prestigious honors in American theater, celebrating outstanding works that have made a significant impact on the stage. Here's a closer look at what the Pulitzer Prize for Drama is, how it works, and why it matters.
Review: TIME STANDS STILL at 12th Ave Arts Photo
Review: TIME STANDS STILL at 12th Ave Arts
by Amelia Divine - Mar 2, 2025

Time Stands Still (by Thalia’s Umbrella), draws you into a carefully crafted, intimate world where the line between audience and observer feels blurred. With a thoughtfully detailed set and a standout performance from its lead actress, this production demonstrates the impact of small-scale storytelling with deep emotional resonance.
An In-Depth History of the Orpheum Theatre Photo
An In-Depth History of the Orpheum Theatre
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 9, 2025

Some of the shows that the Orpheum has been best known for are Stomp, which ran there for an astounding 29 years, from 1994 to 2023, and the original production of Little Shop of Horrors which spent over five years at the theater from 1982 to 1987. 
Thalia's Umbrella Presents TIME STANDS STILL By Donald Margulies Photo
Thalia's Umbrella Presents TIME STANDS STILL By Donald Margulies
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2025

Thalia's Umbrella will present TIME STANDS STILL by Donald Margulies, running February 27 through March 15, 2025, at the Studio at 12th Avenue Arts. TIME STANDS STILL offers four different models of how to live a good life in troubled times.
The Sherman Players to Hold Auditions for DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies Photo
The Sherman Players to Hold Auditions for DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2025

The SHERMAN PLAYERS will hold auditions for their upcoming production of DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies, directed by Terry Sagedy! Learn more about the production and see how to audition.
Complete Cast Set for ON THE EVOLUTIONARY FUNCTION OF SHAME at 2ST's Next Stage Festi Photo
Complete Cast Set for ON THE EVOLUTIONARY FUNCTION OF SHAME at 2ST's Next Stage Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 18, 2024

Second Stage Theater has revealed the complete cast for the centerpiece of this year’s Next Stage Festival: the world premiere production of D.A. Mindell’s On the Evolutionary Function of Shame. See who is starring and learn more.
Review: CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS at DreamWrights Photo
Review: CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS at DreamWrights
by Sandra Harberger - Dec 7, 2024

Iris Lewin portrayal of the older Shirley Abramowitz was sweet with moments of humor. Eva Jarret played the younger Shirley, and she brought her “Loudest Voice” to the role. Her parents were played by Zachary Claghorn and Isabell Amadio with authentic Jewish accents and mannerisms. Isabell Amadio nailed her performance of the strict Jewish mother. The best part of any holiday show is always the children! Their exuberance and honest portrayal of the children they are made me chuckle many times.
CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS Comes to DreamWrights Center for Community Arts Photo
CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS Comes to DreamWrights Center for Community Arts
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2024

This holiday season, DreamWrights Center for Community Arts will present Coney Island Christmas, a heartwarming story that blends humor, tradition, and the magic of the holidays.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Donald Margulies written?

Donald Margulies has written 14 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), Lunar Eclipse (Playwright).

What awards has Donald Margulies been nominated for?

Best Play (Tony Awards) for Time Stands Still, 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, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Collected Stories , The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Collected Stories, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Collected Stories, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for The Model Apartment, Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sight Unseen, Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for Sight Unseen and John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Sight Unseen.

What awards has Donald Margulies won?

Donald Margulies has won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Dinner With Friends. He also received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play for Dinner With Friends and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play for Collected Stories. Additionally, Margulies won the Obie Award for Playwriting for The Model Apartment and the Obie Award for Best New American Play for Sight Unseen.

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