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Terrence McNally

Birth Place: St. Petersburg, FL, USA

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BIO

McNally has had a remarkably far-ranging career spanning six decades. In 2018 he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He is a recipient of the Dramatists Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. He has won four Tony Awards for his plays Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class and his musical books for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime.


He has written a number of TV scripts, including "Andre's Mother," for which he won an Emmy Award. He has received two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Rockefeller Grant, four Drama Desk Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, two Obie Awards, and three Hull-Warriner Awards from the Dramatists Guild. In 1996 he was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
He wrote the libretto for the operas Great Scottand Dead Man Walking, both with music by Jake Heggie. Other plays include Mothers and Sons; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; The Lisbon Traviata; A Perfect Ganesh; The Visit; The Full Monty; Corpus Christi; Bad Habits; Next; The Ritz; Anastasia; It’s Only a Play; Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone?; and The Stendhal Syndrome.

Photos

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Book Writer
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Book[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Book
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Playwright
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Plawright
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2014]
Playwright
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Playwright
 
[Broadway, 2000] Cancelled
Book Revisions
 
[New York, 1998]
Book Revisions
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Adaptation

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Book Writer
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter


TV Shows

The Young and the Restless
Dr. Robert Lynch

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Revival of a Play

Terrence McNally, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune


winner
Tony Awards - 2019 - Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Terrence McNally

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, Anastasia

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Terrence McNally, Anastasia

Drama League Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Terrence McNally, It's Only a Play


winner
The Lortels - 2015 - Lifetime Achievement Award

Terrence McNally

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, The Visit


winner
- 2014 - Legend of Off Broadway Honorees

Terrence McNally

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Play

Terrence McNally, Mothers and Sons

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Play

Terrence McNally, Some Me


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2004 - The Helen Hayes Tribute, sponsored by Jaylee and Gilbert Mead

Terrence McNally


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, A Man of No Importance

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, The Full Monty


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, The Full Monty


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Best Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, Ragtime

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical

Terrence McNally, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Play

Terrence McNally, Master Class


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Play

Terrence McNally, Love! Valour! Compassion!


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Play

Terrence McNally, Love! Valour! Compassion!


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1995 - Best American Play

Terrence McNally, Love! Valour! Compassion!


winner
Obie Awards - 1995 - Playwriting

Terrence McNally, Love! Valour! Compassion!


winner
Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Play

Terrence McNally, Love! Valour! Compassion!

The Pulitzer Prize - 1994 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Terrence McNally, A Perfect Ganesh


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1993 - Best Musical

Terrence McNally, Kiss of the Spider Woman


winner
Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Book of a Musical

Terrence McNally, Kiss of the Spider Woman


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding New Play

Terrence McNally, Lips Together, Teeth Apart


winner
The Lortels - 1992 - Outstanding Body of Work

Terrence McNally

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding New American Play

Terrence McNally, The Ritz


winner
Obie Awards - 1974 - Distinguished Plays

Terrence McNally, Bad Habits

Videos

News


Vineyard Theatre Reveals Winners of the Emerging Artists Awards

Vineyard Theatre has revealed the recipients of the 2024-2025 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and Colman Domingo Award. Learn more about the award and the recipients!
Page 73 Announces Semifinalists For Playwrighting Fellowship

Page 73 has announced 13 semifinalists for the 2025 Page 73 Playwriting Fellowship. Now in its 22nd year, the Page 73 Playwriting Fellowship is the company's most prestigious award.
Christy Altomare Will Lead ANASTASIA Concert Performance at Lincoln Center

A one-night-only concert performance of Anastasia: The Musical will be held in February at Lincoln Center. Manhattan Concert Productions will present the performance as part of its Broadway Series.
Florida Studio Theatre Welcomes Nancy Rominger as Associate Artist

Florida Studio Theatre has announced the appointment of Nancy Rominger as its new Associate Artist in charge of New Play Development. Learn more about Rominger here!
Da'Vine Joy Randolph to Star in Benefit Reading of FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE

Philadelphia Theatre Company will celebrate its 50th season and its education programs with a one-night benefit reading of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune by Terrence McNally, starring Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Learn more!
Submissions Now Open for Cycle 3 of the Terrence McNally New Works Incubator

Submissions are now open for Cycle 3 of the Terrence McNally New Works Incubator. The New Works Incubator is designed to support early-career playwrights by giving them time and space to develop their work. Learn how to apply.
AND AWAY WE GO Comes to Wagner College Theatre

Wagner College Theatre will present AND AWAY WE GO. Why would anyone want to pursue a life in the theatre? In AND AWAY WE GO, Terrence McNally lovingly ponders that question.
Videos You Missed This Week: RAGTIME, WICKED, and More

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! Fall 2024 is here at last, which means that a whole new bunch of Broadway and off-Broadway shows are opening soon. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending November 8, 2024 with videos from Ragtime, Wicked, Suffs, and more!
Eva Noblezada, James Lapine and More Join York Theatre Company Gala Honoring Bernadette Peters And Ted Snowdon

The York Theatre Company announced additional performers for its gala honoring Bernadette Peters and Ted Snowdon on November 11 at The Edison Ballroom, promising a memorable evening of celebration.
Lottery Announced For THE MERRILY CHAPTERS NYC Presentation

The Stage Door Foundation and Pam Pariseau have announced a special lottery for live studio audience tickets to a special industry presentation showing how Stephen Sondheim created MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG through the eyes of original Broadway cast member, David Loud.
Video: Cast of RAGTIME at New York City Center Sings 'Till We Reach That Day'

Watch the cast of New York City Center's Ragtime perform 'Till We Reach That Day.' Learn more about the production starring Joshua Henry and more, and see how to purchase tickets.
Lyda Jade Harlan, Roe Hartrampf & More to Star in ANASTASIA at Bucks County Playhouse

This holiday season, Bucks County Playhouse will debut an all-new production of 'Anastasia: The Musical' starring Lyda Jade Harlan, Roe Hartrampf and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Nichelle Lewis Sings 'Your Daddy's Son' in RAGTIME

Nichelle Lewis is taking on the iconic role of Sarah in the New York City Center gala production of Ragtime. Watch as she performs 'Your Daddy's Son' in this video.
Photos: RAGTIME at City Center Opening Night Gala

Go inside the opening night performance and gala dinner for Ragtime at City Center in the photos here!
Photos: Angelina Jolie, Jane Fonda, & More Attend MARIA Film Screening

On October 30, cast, crew, and several special guests attended a Los Angeles screening of Netflix's Maria at the Ross House. In attendance was Angelia Jolie, who plays the legendary opera singer in the film, as well as director Pablo Larraín, guests Ed Lachman, Jane Fonda, Olivia Wilde, and more. Take a look at the photos here!
Review Roundup: RAGTIME at New York City Center

Ragtime is back onstage in NYC! Winner of four Tony Awards in 1998, Ragtime follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the turn of the 20th century. See what the critics are saying...
Character Breakdown: RAGTIME Cast Unpacks Their Roles

The music of Ragtime plays on at New York City Center until November 10! The annual gala presentation for 2024 is the sweeping, powerful musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel of the same name features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. An all-star cast brings the iconic characters to life onstage. Watch in this video as the cast unpacks their roles.
Photos: RAGTIME, with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz & More

Ragtime is back onstage in NYC! The musical opened last night, October 30. Check out new photos of the cast in action here! The musical stars Joshua Henry, Nichelle Lewis, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz and Tabitha Lawing.
Video: RAGTIME at New York City Center

Ragtime is back onstage in NYC! The musical opens tonight, October 30, with a benefit performance followed by a gala dinner at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Check out highlights of the cast in action in this video!
Theatre Tuscaloosa to Hold Open Auditions for MASTER CLASS

Theatre Tuscaloosa will hold open auditions for MASTER CLASS. Directed by Dr. Allison Upshaw, the play explores the life of opera diva Maria Callas at an elite training program. Learn more about the auditions and see how to attend.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Terrence McNally written?

Terrence McNally has written 41 shows including The Lady of the Carnellias (Playwright), Maggie May (Playwright), And Things That Go Bump in the Night (Playwright), Here's Where I Belong (Bookwriter), Sweet Eros/ Witness (Playwright), Adaptation/ Next (Playwright), Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone? (Playwright), Broadway, Broadway (Bookwriter), The Rink (Bookwriter), It's Only a Play (Playwright), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), The Lisbon Traviata (Playwright), Bad Habits (Playwright), Lips Together, Teeth Apart (Playwright), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Bookwriter), A Perfect Ganesh (Playwright), Love! Valour! Compassion! (Playwright), Love! Valour! Compassion! (Playwright), Master Class (Playwright), By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea (Playwright), Ragtime (Bookwriter), Corpus Christi (Playwright), The Visit (Bookwriter), The Full Monty (Bookwriter), A Man of No Importance (Bookwriter), Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune (Playwright), Short Talks on the Universe (Playwright), The Stendhal Syndrome (Playwright), Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams (Playwright), Catch Me If You Can (Bookwriter), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Bookwriter), The 24 Hour Plays 2006 (Playwright), Some Men (Playwright), Deuce (Playwright), The Ritz (Playwright), Golden Age (Playwright), Mothers and Sons (Playwright), In Your Arms (Story), Anastasia (Book Writer), Fire and Air (Playwright), Pride Plays (Author).

What awards has Terrence McNally been nominated for?

Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards), Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play (Drama League Awards) for It's Only a Play, Lifetime Achievement Award (The Lortels), Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Visit, Legend of Off Broadway Honorees (), Best Play (Tony Awards) for Mothers and Sons, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Some Me, The Helen Hayes Tribute, sponsored by Jaylee and Gilbert Mead (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Full Monty, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Full Monty, Best Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Master Class, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion! , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for A Perfect Ganesh, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lips Together, Teeth Apart, Outstanding Body of Work (The Lortels), Outstanding New American Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Ritz and Distinguished Plays (Obie Awards) for Bad Habits.

What awards has Terrence McNally won?

Terrence McNally has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He was honored with the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Lortels. He has been recognized as a Legend of Off Broadway Honoree and received The Helen Hayes Tribute, sponsored by Jaylee and Gilbert Mead, at the Helen Hayes Awards. In terms of specific productions, he won Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for A Man of No Importance and The Full Monty, and both Best Book of a Musical and Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Ragtime. McNally received the Best Play Tony Award for Master Class and won Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Love! Valour! Compassion!, which also earned him the Best American Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Playwriting at the Obie Awards, and the Best Play Tony Award. He was also awarded Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Kiss of the Spider Woman and won Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for the same production. Additionally, he received the Outstanding New Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for Lips Together, Teeth Apart, the Outstanding Body of Work award from The Lortels, and Distinguished Plays at the Obie Awards for Bad Habits.

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