Lanford Wilson Summary

Among American playwrights whose plays were first produced in the 1960s, Lanford Wilson deserves close study for several reasons. First, Wilson has been unusually prolific. In less than twenty years, ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Kauffmann provides a somewhat unfavorable assessment of Lemon Sky, contending that it “accomplishes little.” Three new off-Broadway productions [Colette, by ... Read more

In the following essay, Williams explores the origin and development of the second and third Talley plays: Talley's Folly and A Tale Told (revised as Talley & Son.) In a sense, Marsha... Read more

In the following essay, Martine investigates the evolving role of women in Wilson's plays. There is no inconsistency in the fact that serious and important writers can be placed in a literar... Read more

In the following interview, originally conducted in December 1982, Wilson discusses his penchant for developing complex characters. I met with Lanford Wilson in December 1982 at the offices of the ... Read more

In the following interview, originally conducted December 1, 1986, Wilson discusses his early theatrical experiences, influences, and writing style. Born in Lebanon, Missouri, in 1937, Lanford Wils... Read more

In the following excerpt, Hornby discusses Burn This and compares Wilson with other contemporary playwrights. Lanford Wilson's Burn This concerns three young people—two dancers and a ... Read more

In the following essay, Callens cites Wilson's The Mound Builders as an “existentialist inspired portrait of contemporary life.” Turning and turning in the widening gyre The fa... Read more

In the following essay, Jacobi traces the evolution of a comic vision throughout Wilson's career, arguing that with comedy Wilson harmonizes his often-conflicted interests in the past and socia... Read more

In the following essay, Peterson explicates the pedagogical dimension of Wilson's life and plays. I first met Lanford Wilson on November 20, 1991, at the Post House Restaurant in Southampton... Read more

In the following essay, Witham considers Fifth of July, Michael Weller's Loose Ends, and Israel Horovitz's Alfred Dies with respect to their treatments of Independence Day to dramatize t... Read more

In the following essay, Tucker details the circumstances leading up to and including an interview with Wilson around the time he staged the premiere of Redwood Curtain. “You in school here? ... Read more

Critical Essay by Stanley Kauffmann [Talley's Folly] is another piece of Lanford Wilson's front-porch knitting about the South Central states, full of the click-clack of theatrical need... Read more

Critical Essay by Julius Novick For years Mr. Wilson's work did not interest me much; The Hot l Baltimore, his big hit, struck me as rather tired in its conventionality. But with 5th of July l... Read more

Critical Essay by Harold Clurman Years ago … Talley's Folly … would not have been considered a play…. The piece contains almost no plot in the ordinary sense of that term.... Read more