The Playwright's Muse. Edited by Joan Herrington. New York and London: Routledge, 2002. pp. ix + 310. $24.95 paper.

Extract

This anthology of essays and interviews brings together the eleven playwrights who won the Pulitzer Prize in the years 1989–2000. Generally, the playwrights were awarded the prize on the basis of a specific play from the prior year, although in some instances the prize appears to be a recognition for a career. Moreover, there is considerable variety in the playwrights selected by the Pulitzer Committee. Some are very successful commercially, others very experimental; some have been prolific, whereas others are known only for one or two major works. A common bond among them all is their dedication to the stage. Some may have written television or film scripts, and even narrative fiction and poetry, but they all see the stage as their preferred creative ground.