John Patrick Shanley: The Kindle Singles Interview

by Paula Span

For more than 30 years, most New York theater seasons have included a work by playwright and director John Patrick Shanley. He began writing off-Broadway shows after a hitch with the Marine Corps and went on to win the 2005 Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize for “Doubt,” which explored the emerging issue of priests’ sexual abuse of children. The screenwriting Oscar he’d won for “Moonstruck” had persuaded his father that a career with the city sanitation department was not in his future. In this extensive interview with journalist Paula Span, Shanley discussed his brawling Bronx childhood, his reunion with the nun who taught his first grade class, the glories of Ireland, a recent call from Tom Hanks and his openly autobiographical new play “Prodigal Son.” Plus poetry, prayer, Twitter and that time he snubbed the Supreme Court.Paula Span, a veteran journalist, writes the New Old Age column, about aging and caregiving, for the New York Times and teaches at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The author of “When the Time Families With Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions,” she is a chronic theatergoer. Cover design by Adil Dara.

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2016

Reviews

[Angeles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the scenes

It's wonderful to get to know a small part of a person who has a strong grip on society. Who else could tap into our senses so often in sick diverse ways?

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excellent. Demonstrates the craft of interviewing someone thoroughly but without prurient overtones. Learned much about John Patrick Shanley's writing style, professional career, and views about matters related to becoming and remaining a prolific, and yet excellent, playwright. Well worth the read.