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Tennessee Williams Headshot

Tennessee Williams

Date of Death: February 25, 1983 (71)

Birth Place: Columbus, MS, USA

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BIO

One of America's greatest playwrights and certainly the greatest ever from the South, Tennessee Williams wrote fiction and motion picture screenplays, but he is acclaimed primarily for his plays, nearly all of which are set in the South, but which at their best rise above regionalism to approach universal themes. Tennessee Williams drew heavily on his family experiences in his writings. When The Glass Menagerie hit Broadway in 1945, it not only changed Tennessee Williams' life, it revolutionized American theatre. A Streetcar Named Desire, The Night of the Iguana and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are some of his other masterpieces. Among his many awards, Williams won two Pulitzer Prizes and four New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. In addition to 25 full-length plays, Williams produced dozens of short plays and screenplays, two novels, a novella, 60 short stories, more than 100 poem and an autobiography. His works have been translated into at least 27 languages, and countless productions of his work have been staged around the world.

Photos

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Revival

Tennessee WilliamsA Streetcar Named Desire

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, Not About Nightingales

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

Tennessee WilliamsSweet Bird Of Youth


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New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1962 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, The Night of the Iguana

Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, The Night of the Iguana


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Evening Standard Awards - 1958 - Best Play

Tennessee WilliamsCat on a Hot Tin Roof

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof


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New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1955 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof


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The Pulitzer Prize - 1955 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Tennessee Williams, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof


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Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, The Rose Tattoo


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New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1948 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire


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New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1945 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie

Videos

News


Interview: Susi Damilano of WAITRESS at San Francisco Playhouse

BroadwayWorld talks with director Susi Damilano about her new production of 'Waitress,' the popular musical featuring a delightful score by Sara Bareilles, running at San Francisco Playhouse through January 18th.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL at The Merchant's House is Available to Stream Online

As Summoners Ensemble Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE MERCHANT'S HOUSE resumes live performances, the company will once again to offer performances virtually! Learn more here!
Review: MACHINAL and THE BEE'S KNEES at Red Sandcastle/The Theatre Centre

If the 2020s have occasionally uncomfortably reminded you of the 1920s, you’re not alone. Two Toronto theatre companies are currently using work from and about that turbulent decade to comment on present issues. At the Red Sandcastle, The Flare Productions presents Sophie Treadwell’s seminal work of feminist and Expressionist theatre, MACHINAL, a 1928 play very loosely based on the real-life story of Ruth Snyder, executed at Sing Sing Prison for the murder of her husband. At the Theatre Centre, Tall Poppy Productions presents a new work written and directed by Judy Reynolds, THE BEE’S KNEES, a fictional tale of one of the first women to run for Canadian parliament in the early 1920s.
Interview: Playwright Cyndy A. Marion and THISTLES at 59E59 Theaters

Cyndy A. Marion's 'Thistles' is now being performed at 59E59 Theaters, produced by White Horse Theater Company in association with Anthony W. Lopez. The show will be on the Upper East Side stage through December 1st. 
Paul Mescal in STREETCAR, Whitney White's MACBETH IN STRIDE & More to Play BAM in 2025

BAM has revealed its 2025 Winter Spring Season, featuring Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire, Whitney White's Macbeth in Stride, and more. Learn more about the full lineup here!
THE GLASS MENAGERIE Comes to The Blue Moon Theatre

'The Glass Menagerie' is being produced at The Blue Moon Theatre with a special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. Performances begin this week, learn more here!
BROADWAY BARFLY Comes to the Green Room 42

The Green Room 42 will present “Broadway Barfly,” an evening with comedian, actor, singer, and YouTube creator Robert Driemeyer (Caroline's on Broadway, “Comic Strip Live”).
Photos: THE GLASS MENAGERIE At Ocala Civic Theatres

Check out photos from the Ocala Civic Theatres production of Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Opening Thursday night November 7 and runs through November 24.
Lea DeLaria to Join Special Post-Show Talkback at Bergen County Players

Join Bergen County Players for a post-show talkback with Lea DeLaria on November 16. DeLaria will discuss her role in POTUS and share insights on her career and experiences as an openly gay performer. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: THE STREETCAR PROJECT / A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Multiple Warehouse Spaces

This production feels contemporary and fresh, with an edgy, f-you, punk rock rebelliousness.  Yet it also feels profoundly truthful to the original grittiness of A Streetcar Named Desire, how it was received when it premiered — its New Orleans funk and grime, its rough, perverse sexiness and sweatiness.
Photos: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE in Rehearsal at Bay Street Theater

Rehearsals are underway for Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE  at Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts. Check out all new photos from rehearsal here!
Review: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Royal Lyceum Theatre

Southern belle Blanche DuBois (Kirsty Stuart) arrives at her sister Stella’s (Nalini Chetty) run-down apartment in New Orleans. Almost immediately Blanche starts butting heads with Stella’s abusive husband Stanley (Matthew Trevannion) catalysing a whirlwind of events toying between naturalism and magical realism. The play touches on themes of female ageism, misogyny, beauty standards, queerness and the darker side of the ‘American Dream’.
What Are the Great American Plays?

Great American plays often capture key moments, issues, and themes that define American life, culture, and history, making them essential parts of the American theatrical canon. Which playwrights do you think made the list?
The Theater Project and Cranford Library to Present Staged Readings of New Plays

Discover new plays at a free staged reading event at Cranford Community Center, presented by The Theater Project and Cranford Library, followed by a playwright-audience discussion. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
TWFest Will Host Arts Gala Next Month

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival will host a Gala on November 21st at 7 pm at The Temple, the beaux-arts style home of Tony Award-winner John Cameron Mitchell. The Temple is a beautifully restored Italianate sidehall in the Bywater neighborhood with a storied past. 
New Cast Members Added To Tennessee Williams' A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has announced the addition of Shea Buckner in the role of Stanley Kowalski and Adelaide Mestre in the roles of Nurse/Mexican Woman to the cast of 2024’s much-anticipated presentation: Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE! 
Lyric Stage Boston Presents NOISES OFF

Lyric Stage Boston rings in the holidays with the gift of laughter, outrageous characters, and meaningful time spent with loved ones at Noises Off. Performances begin Friday, November 15 and run through Sunday December 22.  
Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Manor Club Theatre Is No Shrinking Violet

For this perennially popular, bittersweet stage piece, plot really isn’t the point any more than it is on the daytime TV soaps.  It’s all about relationships
Review: THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW at Theatre 29

What did our critic think of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW at Theatre 29?
See Beth Leavel, Linda Eder & More at 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Beth Leavel, and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets to upcoming shows.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Tennessee Williams written?

Tennessee Williams has written 35 shows including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Playwright), You Touched Me (Playwright), Summer and Smoke (Playwright), Orpheus Descending (Lyricist), Garden District (Playwright), Sweet Bird of Youth (Playwright), I Rise in Flames, Cried the Phoenix (Playwright), The Purification (Playwright), Period of Adjustment (Playwright), The Night of the Iguana (Playwright), The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore (Playwright), The Rose Tattoo (Playwright), The Seven Descents of Myrtle (Playwright), In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel (Playwright), Camino Real (Playwright), Out Cry (Playwright), Battle of Angels (Playwright), Serafina (Source Material), Summer and Smoke (Playwright), Vieux Carre (Playwright), Clothes for a Summer Hotel (Playwright), Ten by Tennessee (Playwright), Kingdom of Earth (Playwright), The Red Devil Battery Sign (Playwright), Not About Nightingales (Playwright), Tennessee Williams Remembered (Author), Something Cloudy, Something Clear (Playwright), Five By Tenn (Playwright), The Glass Menagerie (Playwright), A Streetcar Named Desire (Playwright), Suddenly Last Summer (Playwright), The Eccentricities Of A Nightingale (Playwright), The Two-Character Play (Playwright), 2 By Tennessee Williams (Playwright), Talisman Roses (Playwright).

What awards has Tennessee Williams been nominated for?

Tennessee Williams has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for "A Streetcar Named Desire," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Not About Nightingales," Best Revival of a Play or Comedy at the Olivier Awards for "Sweet Bird Of Youth," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Night of the Iguana," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Night of the Iguana," Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Cat on A Hot Tin Roof," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Rose Tattoo," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "A Streetcar Named Desire," and Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Glass Menagerie."

What awards has Tennessee Williams won?

Tennessee Williams has won several awards for his plays. Some of his notable wins include the Best American Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Night of the Iguana," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "A Streetcar Named Desire," and "The Glass Menagerie." He also received the Best Play award from the Evening Standard Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and the Tony Award for Best Play for "The Rose Tattoo." Additionally, Williams was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

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