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Romulus Linney

ロミュラス・リンニー

Romulus Linney

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1930-09-21 （Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.）
Died
2011-01-15 （Germantown, New York, U.S.） age 80
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Madison, Tennessee, U.S. → Boone, North Carolina, U.S. → Washington, D.C., U.S. → New York City, U.S. → Germantown, New York, U.S.

Career

Occupations
dramatist, librettist, playwright, professor
Active Years
1958-2011
Affiliations
Ensemble Studio Theatre, Fellowship of Southern Writers, College of Fellows of the American Theatre, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Letters, Corporation of Yaddo, Columbia University School of the Arts (former Chair, MFA Playwriting), The New School (Professor, Actors Studio MFA Program)

Education

Oberlin College
Degree: BA
Country: United States
Yale School of Drama (Yale University)
Degree: MFA
Country: United States
Also attended HB Studio (New York)

Awards

Obie Award
Category: 持続的な劇作活動に対する賞
Organization: The Village Voice / Obie Awards
Result: 受賞
Guggenheim Fellowship
Organization: John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Result: 受賞
Rockefeller Fellowship
Organization: Rockefeller Foundation
Result: 受賞
New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship
Organization: New York Foundation for the Arts
Result: 受賞
American Academy of Arts and Letters Awards (Award in Literature, Award of Merit, Gold Medal)
Category: 文学
Organization: American Academy of Arts and Letters
Result: 受賞
Honorary Doctorate (Oberlin College)
1994
Category: 名誉博士号
Organization: Oberlin College
Result: 授与
Honorary Doctorate (Appalachian State University)
1995
Category: 名誉博士号
Organization: Appalachian State University
Result: 授与
Honorary Doctorate (Wake Forest University)
1998
Category: 名誉博士号
Organization: Wake Forest University
Result: 授与

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Sorrows of Frederick

Play (Drama)

A biographical drama focusing on a historical figure; characteristic of Linney's vivid reconstructions of controversial personalities.

biographical dramahistoryindividual conflict
Adaptations
  • [Opera libretto (adaptation)] The Sorrows of Frederick (libretto) (2010)

Childe Byron

1977 Play (Drama)

A play that treats the life of Lord Byron; its 1977 premiere provoked controversy.

biographical dramaartist's tragedyfame and ethics

Heathen Valley

Regional play — set in Appalachia

Set in Appalachia, it explores local life, faith, and conflicts — representative of Linney's regional plays.

Appalachiafamilyreligion and faith

A Lesson Before Dying (adaptation)

Stage adaptation (novel to play)

An adaptation of Ernest J. Gaines's novel for the stage; produced in New York and many regional theaters.

racejustice systemhuman dignity

Holy Ghosts

Play

A play with ensemble elements set in Appalachia, dealing with religious themes and regional memory.

religionmemorycommunity

Bibliography

  • 2: Goering at Nuremberg
  • Akhmatova
  • Childe Byron
  • Heathen Valley
  • Holy Ghosts
  • The Sorrows of Frederick
  • A Lesson Before Dying (stage adaptation)
  • Over Martinis, Driving Somewhere
  • Many others (approximately 85 plays, 20 short stories, 3 novels, 4 opera librettos)

Adaptations

  • Opera libretto based on The Sorrows of Frederick (composer Scott Wheeler): commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center (completed 2010)
  • Stage adaptation of A Lesson Before Dying (produced in New York and regional theaters)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
realistic plays with narratively rich biographical reconstructionsstrong regional (Appalachian) sensibilitydeep psychological treatment of historical figures
Recurring Motifs
Appalachia and rural communityfamily and inheritancedeath and losshistorical/biographical subjects

Health

  • lung cancer
    2010–2011
    Diagnosed with lung cancer late in life and died at home in 2011. Continued creative work during illness, completing a libretto and a full-length play.

Legacy

A prolific and erudite American playwright known for regional Appalachian works and biographical/historical dramas. Founding playwright of Signature Theatre Company, which named a theater in his honor. His archives are held at Appalachian State University.

Museums

  • Romulus Linney Theater (Signature Center) New York City, Signature Center Opened in 2012

Academic Societies

  • Fellowship of Southern Writers
  • American Academy of Arts and Letters
  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Fellows of the American Theatre

Archives

  • Appalachian State University Libraries (Romulus Linney archives)

Quotes

  • I've never gotten over it. My father was a very good man...I think his death is in everything I do. All other experiences in life pall beside the death of a parent you dearly love, when you have to deal with that as a child. No religion can console you for it.
    Source: Interview (American Theatre, April 2004) (2004)

Trivia

  • He said his father's death from throat cancer when he was 13 had a profound effect on his work.
  • Actress Laura Linney is one of his daughters (from a different marriage).
  • Founding playwright of Signature Theatre Company; a theater at the Signature Center was named in his honor (opened 2012).
  • Authored approximately 85 plays, about 20 short stories, 3 novels, and 4 opera librettos.