Tony Kushner
Biography of Tony Kushner
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Anthony Robert Kushner
Common Aliases: Tony Kushner
Birth and Death Dates
Birth Date: July 16, 1956
Death Date: N/A
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession(s): Playwright, Screenwriter, Author
Early Life and Background
Tony Kushner was born on July 16, 1956, in Manhattan, New York City, to a Jewish family. His parents, William and Sylvia Kushner, were both classically trained musicians, which instilled in him an early appreciation for the arts. When Tony was a child, the family relocated to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he spent much of his formative years. This move from the bustling metropolis of New York to the more conservative South had a profound impact on Kushner, shaping his worldview and later influencing his work.
Kushner attended Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Medieval Studies in 1978. He continued his education at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, receiving a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing in 1984. During his time at NYU, Kushner began to hone his skills as a playwright, developing a distinctive voice that would later resonate on both stage and screen.
Major Accomplishments
Tony Kushner's career is marked by numerous accolades and achievements. He is best known for his play "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes," which premiered in the early 1990s. This groundbreaking work earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1993, as well as two Tony Awards for Best Play. "Angels in America" is celebrated for its ambitious narrative, tackling complex themes such as politics, religion, and the AIDS crisis in America.
In addition to his success in theater, Kushner has made significant contributions to film. He collaborated with director Steven Spielberg on the screenplay for "Munich" (2005), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Their partnership continued with the critically acclaimed film "Lincoln" (2012), for which Kushner received another Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Notable Works or Actions
Tony Kushner's body of work is characterized by its intellectual depth and social consciousness. "Angels in America" remains his most iconic piece, a two-part epic that explores the intersecting lives of several characters against the backdrop of the 1980s AIDS epidemic. The play's innovative structure and poignant dialogue have cemented its status as a seminal work in American theater.
Beyond "Angels in America," Kushner's other notable plays include "Caroline, or Change" and "Homebody/Kabul." "Caroline, or Change," a musical collaboration with composer Jeanine Tesori, delves into issues of race and class in 1960s Louisiana. "Homebody/Kabul" reflects Kushner's interest in global politics, focusing on the complexities of Afghan history and culture.
Kushner's screenwriting achievements, particularly his work on "Munich" and "Lincoln," demonstrate his ability to translate historical and political narratives into compelling cinematic experiences. His scripts are known for their meticulous research and eloquent dialogue, bringing depth and nuance to the stories he tells.
Impact and Legacy
Tony Kushner's impact on both theater and film is profound. His works are celebrated for their intellectual rigor, emotional depth, and social relevance. "Angels in America" is often hailed as one of the most important American plays of the 20th century, and its themes continue to resonate with audiences today. Kushner's ability to address complex social issues with empathy and insight has made him a vital voice in contemporary drama.
Kushner's influence extends beyond his own writing. He has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, and political activism. His commitment to these causes is reflected in his work, which often challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Tony Kushner is widely quoted and remembered for his eloquent and thought-provoking writing. His works, particularly "Angels in America," are rich with memorable lines that capture the human experience in all its complexity. Kushner's ability to articulate profound truths about identity, morality, and society has made his words resonate with audiences around the world.
Kushner's legacy is not only in the powerful stories he has told but also in the conversations he has sparked. His work encourages reflection and dialogue, inviting audiences to consider their own beliefs and the world around them. As a playwright and screenwriter, Tony Kushner has left an indelible mark on the arts, and his words continue to inspire and challenge those who encounter them.
Quotes by Tony Kushner
Tony Kushner's insights on:
The way that same-sex marriage should reach the federal level is that it absolutely should be decided by the Supreme Court as quickly as possible. It's a 14th Amendment issue. There's no argument about it.
I'm going to start work on developing a series for HBO, because I'm naturally given to episodic stories of considerable length. And I won't have to listen to complaints about how wordy and long my work is if you can watch it on your telephone on the subway: You can make it conform to your day as if it were a book.
Making movies is a very different experience in a lot of ways. It's difficult when you're used to owning the copyright and having a landlord's possessory rights - I rent my plays to the companies that do them and, if I'm upset, I can pull the play. But the only two directors I've worked with are pretty great.
You could argue that Barack Obama faced in '08 a situation as bad as any president since the Great Depression. What Obama inherited from the Bush administration, we all remember, was just an absolute global catastrophe.
I pray for God to crush me, break me up into little pieces and start all over again.
I write plays and movies, I live and work at the borderline between word and image just as any cartoonist or illustrator does. I’m not a pure writer. I use words as the score for kinetic imagistic representations.
If you’re gay and you can’t hold hands, or you’re black and you can’t catch a taxi, or you’re a woman and you can’t go into the park, you are aware there’s a menace. That’s costly on a psychic level. The world should be striving to make all its members secure.
God knows I’ve had productions where there were actors in my plays who were making more money per week than I was.
One has to have a complicated kind of optimism. You can’t refuse to look at how horrible things are.
And the dead will be commemorated and we’ll struggle on with the living, and we are not going away. We won’t die secret deaths anymore. The world only spins forward. We will be citizens. The time has come. Bye now. You are fabulous, each and every one. And I bless you: More Life. The Great Work Begins.