Romulus Linney: Maverick of the American Theater

by John Patrick Fleming

Romulus Maverick of the American Theater provides the first book-length examination of the life and career of the critically acclaimed playwright. Relentlessly challenging in his choice of dramatic subjects Linney has earned seven lifetime achievements for his playwriting. Based on extensive interviews and a close examination of Linney's personal files, Fleming crafts an in-depth, incisive look at how Linney's life has informed his plays. The extensive research led Linney to Fleming knows more about my career than I do.

Romulus Maverick of the American Theater provides critical insight into Linney'
- Personal life and approach to playwriting
- History plays ( Sorrows of Frederick, Childe Byron, and 2 )
- Appalachian plays ( Holy Ghosts, Heathen Valley, and Sand Mountain )
- Plays that explore American views and values ( Love Suicide at Schofield Barracks, Democracy, A Lesson Before Dying )
- One-Act Plays ( F.M., April Snow, Tennessee, Akhmatova, and many more)
- Adaptations ( Gint, True Crimes, Unchanging Love, Going After Cacciato, and others)


Other features
- An annotated chronology of Linney's career
- Three photo sections, covering both Linney's personal life and productions of his plays
- A total of 40 plays are closely examined for their plot, character, and thematic content


Fleming's interviews and analysis provide directors and actors insight into the forces that motivate Linney's complex characters. Producers and teachers will be enlightened by the comments from the playwright, as well as his collaborators. The clear, accessible writing should enlighten both fans of Linney's work as well as those producing one of Linney's plays.

362 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2008

About the author

JOHN FLEMING is Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance at Texas State University, where he served as producer for Romulus Linney's adaptation of Going After Cacciato. In addition to teaching theatre history, Fleming is also a playwright, including the award-winning plays Transposing Shakespeare and The Two Lives of Napoleon Beazley.