Lanford Wilson
Birth Place: Lebanon, MO, USA
Latest News on Lanford Wilson:
Divine Riot and Healing TREE Commission New Play THE BIG BAD By Ren Dara Santiago (Jan 5, 2026)
THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT And More Set for Carlsbad Playreaders 2026 Season (Dec 22, 2025)
Manhattan Arts Center Commissions New Work By NYC Playwright Andrew Michael Reid (Dec 17, 2025)
Divine Riot and Healing TREE Commission New Play THE BIG BAD By Ren Dara Santiago (Jan 5, 2026)
THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT And More Set for Carlsbad Playreaders 2026 Season (Dec 22, 2025)
Manhattan Arts Center Commissions New Work By NYC Playwright Andrew Michael Reid (Dec 17, 2025)
Photos
Awards and Nominations
winner
- 2011 - Off Broadway Alliance Hall of Fame Award
Lanford Wilson
winner
IT Awards - 2010 - Artistic Achievement Award
Lanford Wilson
winner
The Lortels - 2001 - Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence
Lanford Wilson
Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Play
Lanford Wilson, Angels Fall
Drama Desk Awards - 1981 - Outstanding Play
Lanford Wilson, 5th of July
Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Play
Lanford Wilson, Fifth of July
Drama Desk Awards - 1980 - Outstanding Play
Lanford Wilson, Talley's Folly
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1980 - Best Play
Lanford Wilson, Talley's Folly
winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1980 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Lanford Wilson, Talley's Folly
Tony Awards - 1980 - Best Play
Lanford Wilson, Talley's Folly
Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding New Play
Lanford Wilson, Talley's Folly
Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Best New Play
Lanford Wilson, Fifth of July
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1973 - Best American Play
Lanford Wilson, The Hot l Baltimore
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1967 - Best Playwrights
Landord Wilson, The Rimers of Eldritch
Videos
Video: Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close & More in New Trailer for Ryan Murphy's ALL FAIR
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-09 16:30:18
Video: Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close & More Star in Teaser for Ryan Murphy's ALL FAIR
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-14 10:50:40
Video: Brandon Uranowitz Celebrates Tony Win for 'Best Featured Actor in a Play'
by Richard Ridge - 2023-06-11 22:28:17
VIDEO: Sarah Paulson Says She Almost Didn't Star in RATCHED on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-09-24 09:19:26
VIDEO: Sarah Paulson Talks About Her Love of Performing for an Audience on THE LATE SHOW
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-09-18 08:30:51
VIDEO: Keri Russell Talks About Her First Time on Broadway in BURN THIS
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-06-19 16:02:55
VIDEO: Adam Driver Talks BURN THIS and His Arts in the Armed Forces Program
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-06-03 15:06:15
VIDEO: 30 Days Of Tony! Day 9- BURN THIS Nabs A Tony For Joan Allen
by A.A. Cristi - 2019-06-01 11:01:00
VIDEO: Keri Russell Talks Making Her Broadway Debut in BURN THIS
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-05-07 09:09:26
TV: Inside Opening Night of BURN THIS with Keri Russell, Adam Driver & More!
by TV - Opening Night Special - 2019-04-17 09:29:33
TV Exclusive: Marshall W. Mason on Receiving Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
by Tyler Peterson - 2016-06-12 23:00:01
Backstage with Richard Ridge: From BLACKBIRD to THE NEWSROOM - Tony Nominee Jeff Daniels Shares Advice for Actors!
by Nicole Rosky - 2016-05-22 15:22:48
Tony Awards Close-Up: How Does Jeff Daniels Make It Through the Brutality of BLACKBIRD? Find Out!
by Nicole Rosky - 2016-06-09 15:36:48
Who Was Lucille Lortel and Why Is There An Award Named For Her?
by Michael Dale - 2016-03-31 21:01:50
VIDEO: Darren Pettie Delivers Powerful Arthur Miller Speech From INCIDENT AT VICHY
by Michael Dale - 2015-11-17 19:26:29
TV: New York City's Signature Theatre on Winning the 2014 Regional Theatre Award
by BroadwayWorld TV - 2014-06-08 23:16:54
TV: Jeff Daniels Previews and Talks 54 Below Show; See it Tonight!
by Robert Diamond - 2014-01-04 14:38:47
News
Divine Riot and Healing TREE Commission New Play THE BIG BAD By Ren Dara Santiago
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 5, 2026
A new play titled The Big Bad has been announced from Divine Riot and Healing TREE. The production is being produced by Cassidy Layton and Marissa Ghavami, with Ren Dara Santiago writing and co-producing.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 5, 2026
A new play titled The Big Bad has been announced from Divine Riot and Healing TREE. The production is being produced by Cassidy Layton and Marissa Ghavami, with Ren Dara Santiago writing and co-producing.
THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT And More Set for Carlsbad Playreaders 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 22, 2025
Carlsbad Playreaders has announced its 2026 season, featuring a wide-ranging lineup of staged readings that includes classic comedies, contemporary favorites, musical theatre, and bold new works.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 22, 2025
Carlsbad Playreaders has announced its 2026 season, featuring a wide-ranging lineup of staged readings that includes classic comedies, contemporary favorites, musical theatre, and bold new works.
Manhattan Arts Center Commissions New Work By NYC Playwright Andrew Michael Reid
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 17, 2025
Manhattan Arts Center has commissioned a new original play by New York City-based playwright Andrew Michael Reid. The organization presents five mainstage productions annually and serves as a regional hub for theatre, visual art, and arts education.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 17, 2025
Manhattan Arts Center has commissioned a new original play by New York City-based playwright Andrew Michael Reid. The organization presents five mainstage productions annually and serves as a regional hub for theatre, visual art, and arts education.
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.
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.
Chris Autore Celebrates 75 Years in Show Business With LOOK AT ME NOW at Don't Tell Mama
by Stephi Wild - Nov 17, 2025
Look At Me Now features a vibrant mix of pop and Broadway hits, backed by a three piece band led by Ike Reeves on piano, with Sean Conly on bass and Ray Marchica on drums. Directed by Geoff Stoner.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 17, 2025
Look At Me Now features a vibrant mix of pop and Broadway hits, backed by a three piece band led by Ike Reeves on piano, with Sean Conly on bass and Ray Marchica on drums. Directed by Geoff Stoner.
Cast Set For WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU HURTS YOU LONGER at The Colony Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025
The Colony Theatre has announced casting for the second installment of its Scripts & Sips playreading series, What Doesn't Kill You Hurts You Longer by Steve Apostolina, directed by 10-time Artios Award-winner Michael Donovan.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025
The Colony Theatre has announced casting for the second installment of its Scripts & Sips playreading series, What Doesn't Kill You Hurts You Longer by Steve Apostolina, directed by 10-time Artios Award-winner Michael Donovan.
Tony Award-Nominee Fina Strazza Joins Industry Reading of ONCE ON RUMSPRINGA
by Gillian Blum - Nov 2, 2025
Tony Award-nominee Fina Strazza joins an invite-only industry reading of Once on Rumspringa by Ellis Stump on November 10 at 4:00pm, at Ripley Grier Studios.
by Gillian Blum - Nov 2, 2025
Tony Award-nominee Fina Strazza joins an invite-only industry reading of Once on Rumspringa by Ellis Stump on November 10 at 4:00pm, at Ripley Grier Studios.
Video: Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close & More in New Trailer for Ryan Murphy's ALL FAIR
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 9, 2025
Hulu has dropped a new trailer for All's Fair, the new legal drama series from TV guru Ryan Murphy. The trailer for the highly anticipated series showcases the all-star cast led by Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts, along with Broadway alums Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, and Judith Light.Watch it now.
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 9, 2025
Hulu has dropped a new trailer for All's Fair, the new legal drama series from TV guru Ryan Murphy. The trailer for the highly anticipated series showcases the all-star cast led by Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts, along with Broadway alums Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, and Judith Light.Watch it now.
WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU HURTS YOU LONGER Reading Comes to the Colony Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2025
The Colony Theatre in Burbank has announced the second installment of its Scripts & Sips playreading series, What Doesn't Kill You Hurts You Longer by Steve Apostolina, directed by 10-time Artios Award-winner Michael Donovan.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2025
The Colony Theatre in Burbank has announced the second installment of its Scripts & Sips playreading series, What Doesn't Kill You Hurts You Longer by Steve Apostolina, directed by 10-time Artios Award-winner Michael Donovan.
THE LITERAL DEMON I SUMMONED TO GET MY EX-BOYFRIEND BACK Sets Industry Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 1, 2025
Chris Rivera's new supernatural comedic play The Literal Demon I Summoned to Get My Ex-Boyfriend Back will receive a staged industry reading at Intar Theatre. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 1, 2025
Chris Rivera's new supernatural comedic play The Literal Demon I Summoned to Get My Ex-Boyfriend Back will receive a staged industry reading at Intar Theatre. Learn more!
Rogue Machine's ANTHROPOLOGY Comes to The Matrix Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2025
The North American Premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s anthropology, directed by John Perrin Flynn, will launch Rogue Machine’s new season on their mainstage. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2025
The North American Premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s anthropology, directed by John Perrin Flynn, will launch Rogue Machine’s new season on their mainstage. Learn more here!
Resurrection Theatre Will Present Lanford Wilson’s THE RIMERS OF ELDRITCH
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 24, 2025
Resurrection Theatre will present THE RIMERS OF ELDRITCH by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, running October 31 through November 22, 2025 at the California Stage Complex in Sacramento.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 24, 2025
Resurrection Theatre will present THE RIMERS OF ELDRITCH by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, running October 31 through November 22, 2025 at the California Stage Complex in Sacramento.
The Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival Announces New Leadership And Call For 2026-27 Submissions
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 11, 2025
The Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival at the Dobbins Conservatory of Southeast Missouri State University has new leadership: Co-Artistic Directors Charles Goforth and Tim Nicolai and Managing Director Lisa Fischel. Kenneth L. Stilson returns in the capacity of Founding Executive Director. Former Artistic Director Kitt Lavoie departs after shepherding the festival from an idea to five successful seasons and a national profile.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 11, 2025
The Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival at the Dobbins Conservatory of Southeast Missouri State University has new leadership: Co-Artistic Directors Charles Goforth and Tim Nicolai and Managing Director Lisa Fischel. Kenneth L. Stilson returns in the capacity of Founding Executive Director. Former Artistic Director Kitt Lavoie departs after shepherding the festival from an idea to five successful seasons and a national profile.
Photos: LET’S TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE At The Flea Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2025
TOSOS, New York City’s oldest and longest producing LGBTQIA+ theater company, is presenting let’s talk about anything else at The Flea Theater in Tribeca now through September 28, 2025. See photos of the production.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2025
TOSOS, New York City’s oldest and longest producing LGBTQIA+ theater company, is presenting let’s talk about anything else at The Flea Theater in Tribeca now through September 28, 2025. See photos of the production.
Interview: Playwright Lauren M. Gunderson and I AND YOU: THE MUSICAL at McCarter Theater
by Marina Kennedy - Sep 5, 2025
McCarter Theatre Center has announced the all-woman creative team behind the highly anticipated world premiere of I & You: The Musical. It is inspired by Lauren Gunderson’s internationally acclaimed play by the same name.
by Marina Kennedy - Sep 5, 2025
McCarter Theatre Center has announced the all-woman creative team behind the highly anticipated world premiere of I & You: The Musical. It is inspired by Lauren Gunderson’s internationally acclaimed play by the same name.
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre Announces 2025-2026 Season
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 16, 2025
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre (BPT) just announced its 2025-2026 season—a line-up of bold new plays that cross cultures, generations and borders, featuring stories of love, intersectionality and resistance.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 16, 2025
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre (BPT) just announced its 2025-2026 season—a line-up of bold new plays that cross cultures, generations and borders, featuring stories of love, intersectionality and resistance.
LET'S TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE Queer Dark Comedy to Play The Flea In NYC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2025
New York City's oldest and longest producing LGBTQIA+ theater company TOSOS will present let's talk about anything else, a new dark comedy about bugs, strangers in the woods, and the unrelenting grasp of guilt written by Anthony Anello.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2025
New York City's oldest and longest producing LGBTQIA+ theater company TOSOS will present let's talk about anything else, a new dark comedy about bugs, strangers in the woods, and the unrelenting grasp of guilt written by Anthony Anello.
Photo: Chicago Shakespeare's BILLIE JEAN Welcomes Billie Jean King And Ilana Kloss
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 6, 2025
Tennis legend and social justice icon Billie Jean King attended the August 5 performance of Billie Jean at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, joined by her wife Ilana Kloss. See a photo from her visit.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 6, 2025
Tennis legend and social justice icon Billie Jean King attended the August 5 performance of Billie Jean at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, joined by her wife Ilana Kloss. See a photo from her visit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Lanford Wilson written?
Lanford Wilson has written 6 shows including The Gingham Dog (Playwright), Talley's Folly (Playwright), Fifth of July (Playwright), Angels Fall (Playwright), Burn This (Playwright), Redwood Curtain (Playwright).
What awards has Lanford Wilson been nominated for?
Off Broadway Alliance Hall of Fame Award (), Artistic Achievement Award (IT Awards) for , Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence (The Lortels), Best Play (Tony Awards) for Angels Fall , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for 5th of July, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Fifth of July , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Talley's Folly, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Talley's Folly, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Talley's Folly, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Talley's Folly, Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Talley's Folly, Best New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fifth of July, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Hot l Baltimore and Best Playwrights (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rimers of Eldritch.
What awards has Lanford Wilson won?
Lanford Wilson has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He was inducted into the Off Broadway Alliance Hall of Fame. He earned the Artistic Achievement Award from the IT Awards. Wilson also received the Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence from The Lortels. He won Best Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Talley's Folly, which also earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Additionally, The Hot l Baltimore was recognized as Best American Play by the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Wilson was honored as one of the Best Playwrights by the Drama Desk Awards for The Rimers of Eldritch.
Videos