TERRENCE MCNALLY,
1938-2020

Playwright Terrence McNally, a four-time Tony Award-winner known for landmark works depicting American gay life, has died of complications from the coronavirus. He was 81.

McNally, who died Tuesday in Sarasota, Fla. had chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and had overcome lung cancer.

A versatile and prolific writer, McNally won two of his Tonys for musicals—Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime—and two for plays, Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class.

McNally wrote 36 plays, the books for 10 musicals— The Full Monty and Catch Me if You Can among them—the librettos for four operas and a few screenplays in a career that started in 1963 with a small contribution to an adaptation of “The Lady of the Camellias.”

His Broadway debut came in 1965 with And Things That Go Bump in the Night, which depicted a romance between men, unheard of at the time on the Great White Way. His plays Mothers and Sons, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, The Ritz and Love! Valour! Compassion! were equally groundbreaking in their depictions of gay men and their relationships with families and each other.

He won an Emmy in 1990 for writing Andre’s Mother.

His Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was revived last year on Broadway with Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon.

My dear sweet brilliant kind Terrence. The world is not nearly as sweet of a place without you in it. My heart is breaking yet again. 💔
Terrence McNally Dead: Tony-Winning Playwright Dies of Coronavirus – Variety https://t.co/IDQPbS80ml

— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 24, 2020

From one of Terrence McNally great musicals, which is also my favorite Kander & Ebb musical, The Visit:

Watching @Chita_Rivera dance with her younger self was one of the most dizzying, heartbreaking highs I’ve had in a theater ever. https://t.co/QaJmshd5TS

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 24, 2020

"A lot of people stop learning in life and that's their tragedy."- Terrence McNally, one of the most brilliant and prolific playwrights... EVER. #RIP https://t.co/1u5tMMWk9c

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) March 24, 2020

Covid. You fucker. Just learned that it took Terrence McNally who has always been the soul of kindness. Well Covid you are a little f because McNally’s plays will outlast you. Thanks Terrence for all youve given us. Peace.

— Paula Vogel (@VogelPaula) March 24, 2020

Terrence McNally was one of the founding fathers of @BCEFA. Truly among the greatest playwrights in #Broadway history, Terrence gave voice to both the voiceless and those who can stand tall, not only through his art but also his actions. pic.twitter.com/szAFZn7G42

— Broadway Cares (@BCEFA) March 24, 2020

Terrence McNally was a legend among legends on Broadway. If you are an actor, there's a good chance you have performed one of his works. If not, you surely will in your career, he was that prolific and gifted. Ah, my heart breaks at the news! https://t.co/N71IQcStFH

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 24, 2020

Please remember the brilliant Terrence McNally, “The playwright leaves a legacy of slowly changing people's minds by changing their hearts first.” He will be missed ❤️ https://t.co/jWm3gvX0YS

— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 24, 2020

Heartbroken over the loss of Terrence McNally, a giant in our world, who straddled plays and musicals deftly. Grateful for his staggering body of work and his unfailing kindness.

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 24, 2020

We lost a great artist today. I worked for and with Terrence McNally twice in my life and they were two of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. His work was vital, intense, hysterical and rare. My hope is that he will inspire writers for years to come. #RIPTerrenceMcNally

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) March 24, 2020