Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Louisiana, New York City, New York

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1998-05-10

Duration: 00:23:16

Subjects: Kushner, Tony | Dramatists | Theater | Arts | Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983

Contributors:

• Weill, Gus Host
• Fowler, Ken Producer
• Kushner, Tony Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from May 10, 1998, features an interview with Tony Kushner conducted by Gus Weill. Kushner, who grew up in Lake Charles, is a playwright and screenwriter. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and two Tony Awards for his play “Angels in America,” as well as an Emmy Award for the television adaptation of the play. He discusses: the process of writing “Angels in America”; his artistic family influences; his move to New York; his studies at Columbia University and New York University; the difficulties of writing serious drama; the need for government support of drama; his play “Slavs”; the burden of his notoriety on his future plays; his work habits; playwright Tennessee Williams; the communal production of plays; and his artistic influences.