Lanford Wilson

Playwright

Lanford Wilson was an influential American playwright known for his exploration of love and identity in works like 'Talley's Folly'.

Born
April 13, 1937
Quotes
8
Rank
#4283

About Lanford Wilson

Lanford Wilson — Life and Legacy

Lanford Wilson was a prominent American playwright whose works deeply examined the intricacies of love and identity. His significant contribution to theater includes the Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Talley's Folly', which reflects his unique ability to portray the emotional struggles of his characters. Wilson's writing often delved into the psychological depth of human relationships, revealing the contradictions and conflicts inherent in love. For instance, his assertion that 'the theater is a place where we can be ourselves' underscores his belief in the transformative power of performance, allowing audiences to confront their own identities. Wilson's characters frequently grapple with societal expectations, challenging norms and exploring the complexities of personal truth. His focus on marginalized voices and the fragility of love resonates with audiences, making his work relevant even today. By addressing themes of acceptance and self-discovery, Wilson's quotes and plays continue to inspire reflection on the human condition, emphasizing that understanding oneself is a journey filled with both struggle and beauty.

Quote collection

Lanford Wilson quotes

8 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Lanford Wilson Playwright
Popular

"If you can no longer think about the future, and you once dreamed of everlasting love, don't give up the dream, find it again."

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Lanford Wilson Playwright
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"I deliberately look for colorful people. They're very right for theatre. Theatre has to be theatrical. If you can get color into the accountant, you've got something. Write the whole thing first and then say he's an accountant. That's a very wacky accountant, but so what? Theatricality feeds and challenges the actor, the director, and the designers."

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Lanford Wilson Playwright
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"But when I came back into the city for the first time last November, I thought every truck, every building was going to blow up. It has truly changed me something fierce."

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Lanford Wilson Playwright
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"Lots of my friends and family belong to churches, and some of them are part of the so-called Christian Right. In this preacher, I wanted to show a good man struggling to reconcile his commitment to the community with the political agenda of his church. He does not see that as a dilemma, but I do."

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Lanford Wilson Playwright
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"Nobody's safe around a writer."

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Lanford Wilson Playwright
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"I am not sure why, but I have been obsessed by the Atom Bomb ever since it first happened."

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Lanford Wilson Playwright
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"At best, the relationship between drama critic and playwright is a pretty twiggy affair. When I'm asked whom I write for, after the obligatory, I write only for myself, I realize that I have an imaginary circle of peers - writers and respected or savvy theatre folk, some dramatic writers and some not, some living, some long gone. . . . Often a writer is aware as he works that a certain critic is going to hate this one. . . . You don't let what a critic might say worry you or alter your work; it might even add a spark to the gleeful process of creation."

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