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Stephen Adly Guirgis

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Stephen Adly Guirgis (born 1965) is an American playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor. He is a member and a former co-artistic director of New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company.[1] His plays have been produced both Off-Broadway and on Broadway, as well as in the UK. His play Between Riverside and Crazy won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Stephen Adly Guirgis
Born1965 (age 58–59)
Kearny, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationUniversity at Albany, SUNY (BA)
Occupation(s)Playwright, screenwriter, director, actor
Notable workBetween Riverside and Crazy
AwardsPulitzer Prize for Drama (2015)

Early life

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Born in 1965 in Kearny, New Jersey,[2] Guirgis is the son of an Egyptian father and an Irish American mother.[3] He was raised on New York City's Upper West Side. He attended school in nearby Harlem and graduated from the University at Albany, SUNY in 1992.[1][3] He studied theatre at HB Studio.[4]

Career

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Writing

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Guirgis' play Between Riverside and Crazy premiered Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in July 2014 and closed on August 23, 2014.[5] It then was produced by Second Stage Theatre, opening in previews on January 16, 2015, officially on February 11, 2015. Directed by Austin Pendleton, the play featured Stephen McKinley Henderson.[6] The play received a nomination for the 2015 Drama League Award, Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play.[7] The play won the 2015 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play.[8] The play won the 2015 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play.[9] The play won the 2015 Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Play.[10] Artists Repertory Theatre, located in Portland, Oregon, staged Between Riverside and Crazy from March 4 to April 1, 2018.[11] The show had its Broadway debut with previews beginning December 1, 2022, and opening on December 19, 2022.

His play The Motherfucker With the Hat was nominated for seven Tony Awards and premiered on Broadway in 2011 and featured Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vazquez.[12] It was also performed in San Francisco at San Francisco Playhouse in January 2013 where it received positive reviews.[13]

His award-winning recent play Halfway Bitches Go Straight To Heaven, directed by John Ortiz in 2019 in a LAByrinth Theater/Atlantic Theater co-production, features a cast of 18 plus a goat, and garnered Obie Awards for its two stars, LLiza Colón-Zayas and Elizabeth Rodriguez.

The Little Flower of East Orange, starring Ellen Burstyn and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, was produced Off-Broadway by the LAByrinth Theater Company at The Public Theater, opening on April 6, 2008, and closing on May 4, 2008.[14][15] The play was developed at the Manhattan Theatre Club's "6 @ 7" series.[16]

His play Our Lady of 121st Street ran originally in an Off-Broadway production by the LAByrinth Theater at Center Stage/NY and then transferred to the Union Square Theatre from March 6, 2003, to July 27, 2003. The play was directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman.[17] The play received: 10 best plays of 2003; Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Best Play nominations.[18]

Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, premiered Off-Broadway in a production by LAByrinth Theater Company in 2000.[19][20] It was produced in London at the Donmar Warehouse in 2002,[21] and was nominated for the Olivier Award, Best New Play for 2003,[22] as well as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award.[citation needed]

His play In Arabia We'd All Be Kings ran Off-Broadway in 1999.[23] A production at the Elephant Theatre Company in Hollywood, California in 2007 received four LA Drama Critic's Circle Awards: Production, Writing, Scenic Design and Lighting Design.[24]

His play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot was produced Off-Broadway by LAByrinth at The Public Theatre in 2005 and was directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman,[25][26] and was named one of the year's "10 best" plays by Time magazine and Entertainment Weekly.[citation needed] The play completed a critically acclaimed run in London at the Almeida Theater on May 10, 2008.[27]

His one-act play, Dominica The Fat Ugly Ho, was directed by Adam Rapp as part of the 2006 E.S.T. Marathon.[28]

In film, Guirgis has contributed to the work of Halle Berry.

Television writing credits include NYPD Blue,[27] David Milch's short-lived CBS drama Big Apple,[1] and Shane Salerno's short-lived NBC series UC: Undercover. Guirgis collaborated with Academy Award nominated director Baz Luhrmann on The Get Down, a Netflix Series about the birth of hip-hop in the 1970s.[29]

Directing

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He developed and directed Liza Colón-Zayas' play Sistah Supreme for Danny Hoch's Hip Hop Theater Festival in 2000[30] Marco Greco's award-winning Behind the Counter with Mussolini at the York Theatre (1998 in New York)[31] and Los Angeles (1999 and 2002),[32] and directed Melanie Maras' Kiss Me on the Mouth for InViolet Rep in 2009.[33]

Acting

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As an actor, Guirgis is currently a series regular portraying Frank Mariani on HBO's "Winning Time". He appeared in Brett C. Leonard's stage play Guinea Pig Solo, produced by LAByrinth at The Public Theater in 2004.[34] He has had supporting roles in films such as Todd Solondz's Palindromes (2004),[35] Brett C. Leonard's Jailbait (2004), and Kenneth Lonergan's Margaret (2011).[36] Other credits include the 1997 Law & Order episode "Terminal" and films such as Meet Joe Black (1998),[37] Blackbird (2007),[38] Trainwreck: My Life as an Idiot (2007),[39] Noise (2007),[40] Synecdoche, New York (2008),[41] and Philip Seymour Hoffman's directorial debut Jack Goes Boating (2010).

Controversy

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In 2017 Guirgis was embroiled in a publicized debate with a small theater in San Francisco which had produced an edited version of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. While Guirgis was displeased to learn that his play had been edited without his permission, in violation of the production's licensing contract, he was also sympathetic to the production's cast and crew and did not want to shut down the production as Dramatists Play Service recommended. He requested that the theater place inserts in the show programs explaining that the show was edited without his permission and against his wishes. When Guirgis saw a copy of the program insert he requested, he deemed the insert unsuitable and had the production shut down. [42][43]

Personal life

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Guirgis has used improvisational theater to "teach HIV/AIDS prevention, conflict resolution, and leadership" in prisons, schools, shelters, and hospitals.[44] Guirgis was close professional and personal friends with late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman[42] with whom he was a frequent collaborator.

Awards, nominations, and honors

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Guirgis was awarded a 2006 PEN/Laura Pels Theater Award for a playwright in mid-career,[45] a 2006 Whiting Award,[46] and a 2004 TCG fellowship. He attended the 2006 Sundance Screenwriter's Lab, [47] and was named one of 2004's 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine.

In 2014, Guirgis was awarded the Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award.

Guirgis is the recipient of new play commissions from Manhattan Theatre Club, Center Theater Group, and South Coast Repertory. He is a member of New Dramatists, MCC's Playwright's Coalition, New River Dramatists, Primary Stages, and the Actors Studio Playwright/Directors Unit.

He received the 2013 Windham–Campbell Literature Prize.[48]

He received the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Between Riverside and Crazy[49]

Our Lady of 121st Street received the Lucille Lortel Award nomination, Outstanding Play, Outstanding Director (Hoffman); 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, John Glassner Award; Drama Desk Award nomination, Director (Hoffman) and Outstanding Play[50]

He received a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in May 2016.

Plays written by Guirgis

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Filmography

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As an actor:

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Blake, Leslie (Hoban). "Comin' Uptown", Theatermania, 23 August 2002.
  2. ^ Sherman, Howard (December 9, 2019). "Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis: 'I don't feel like I fit in anywhere – I'm a guest in every ethnic group'". The Stage. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Fisher, Philip. Interviews: Stephen Adly Guirgis, BritishTheatreGuide.info, 2001 (sic).
  4. ^ HB Studio Alumni.
  5. ^ Hetrick, Adam; Carey Purcell (August 23, 2014). "Stephen Adly Guirgis Premiere, 'Between Riverside And Crazy', Closes at the Atlantic". playbill.com.
  6. ^ Cox, Gordon (October 16, 2014). "Replaces 'American Psycho' with 'Between Riverside and Crazy'". Variety.
  7. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 21, 2015). "2015 Drama League Awards Nominations Announced; More Than 45 Will Vie for Distinguished Performance Honor", playbill.com. Archived June 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 10, 2015). "'Curious Incident' Top Winner at Outer Critics Circle Awards". playbill.com.
  9. ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 4, 2015). "'Hamilton' and 'Between Riverside and Crazy' Win 2015 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards". playbill.com.
  10. ^ "'Hamilton' Breaks Record With Most Lortel Wins". playbill.com. May 10, 2015.
  11. ^ "2017/18 Season", artistsrep.org. Archived November 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ^ Healy, Patrick (October 22, 2010). "Chris Rock Takes On Broadway in 'Hat'". The New York Times blog.
  13. ^ "SF Gate". Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  14. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (April 6, 2008). "'The Little Flower of East Orange', Starring Ellen Burstyn, Opens Off-Broadway April 6". plaubill.com.
  15. ^ "'The Little Flower of East Orange' Listing". labtheater.org. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  16. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (January 7, 2008). "Off-Broadway Dates Set for Guirgis' 'Little Flower of East Orange'". playbill.com.
  17. ^ "'Our Lady of 121st Street' Ends Off-Broadway Run at Union Square, June 29". playbill.com. June 12, 2003.
  18. ^ "Listing". lortel.org. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  19. ^ "Listing", lortel.org, accessed May 5, 2015. Archived April 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ^ Gutman, Les (November 28, 2000). "Review". curtainup.com.
  21. ^ Billington, Michael (March 13, 2002). "Review. 'Jesus Hopped the A Train'". The Guardian.
  22. ^ "Olivier Winners 2003". olivierawards.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  23. ^ McGrath, Sean; Simonson, Robert (July 13, 1999). "Philip Seymour Hoffman to Stay in OB 'Arabia' Until July 23". playbill.com.
  24. ^ Jones, Kenneth (March 18, 2008). "L.A. Drama Critics Embrace '13', Stephen Adly Guirgis and 'Zanna, Don't!' in Annual Awards". playbill.com.
  25. ^ "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot". Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Lucille Lortel Foundation. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Sommer, Elyse. "Review. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot ", CurtainUp.com, February 27, 2005.
  27. ^ a b Rees, Jasper. "Stephen Adly Guirgis: When Judas came to New York", The Telegraph, 22 March 2008.
  28. ^ Gates, Anita. "Language of the Street, Quirks of the Heart", The New York Times, June 22, 2006.
  29. ^ Hetrick, Adam (December 13, 2013). "Baz Luhrmann and Stephen Adly Guirgis Collaborating on Hip-Hop Television Project". Playbill.com.
  30. ^ Ehren, Christine. "Colon-Zayas' 'Sistah Supreme' Steps Up at Hip Hop Fest, June 28", playbill.com, June 28, 2000.
  31. ^ "'Behind the Counter with Mussolini' Listing, York Theatre, Creatives". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  32. ^ Ehren, Christine (February 2, 2002). "'Behind the Counter With Mussolini' Returns to L.A. Feb. 7-March 30". playbill.com.
  33. ^ Bacalzo, Dan (October 8, 2009). "Stephen Adly Guirgis to Direct 'Kiss Me on the Mouth'". theatermania.com.
  34. ^ "'Guinea Pig Solo' Listing". lortel.org. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  35. ^ "'Palindromes' Listing". allmovie.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  36. ^ "'Margaret' Listing". imdb.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  37. ^ "'Meet Joe Black' Cast". imdb.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  38. ^ "Blackbird". imdb.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  39. ^ "'Trainwreck: My Life as an Idiot' Cast". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  40. ^ "'Noise' Cast". tvguide.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  41. ^ Birdman, Charlie Kaufman's 'Synecdoche, New York' Cast and Crew", allmovie.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  42. ^ a b Hetrick, Adam (August 10, 2017). "Stephen Adly Guirgis Speaks Out After Shutting Down Theatre for Unauthorized Cuts to Judas Iscariot". Playbill. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  43. ^ Musbach, Julie (August 6, 2017). "UPDATE: Shelton Theatre's Unsanctioned Adaptation is Shut Down Due to Copyright Infringement". Broadway World. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  44. ^ Klein, Judith M. (June 21, 2011). "Growing Up With the Hat". The New York Times.
  45. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (May 2, 2006). "Adrienne Kennedy and Stephen Adly Guirgis Win 2006 PEN/ Laura Pels Awards for Drama". playbill.com.
  46. ^ "2006 Winner, Drama", whiting.org. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  47. ^ "Six Artists Selected For The 2006 Sundance Playwrights Retreat" filmmakers.com, January 26, 2006
  48. ^ Baker, Dorie (March 4, 2013). "Yale awards $1.35 million to nine writers". YaleNews. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  49. ^ "The Pulitzer Prizes Drama".
  50. ^ "Listing". lortel.org. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
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