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In his thrilling new biography, Lahr—longtime New Yorker theater critic--gives intimate access to the life and mind of Williams- shedding new light on his warring family, his lobotomized sister, his sexuality, and his misreported death. In the sensational saga of Williams’ rise and fall, Lahr captures his tempestuous public persona and backstage life where Marlon Brando, Elia Kazan and others had scintillating walk-on parts. Maupin joins Lahr for a fascinating conversation about one of the most brilliant playwrights of his century, whose plays reshaped the American theater and the nation’s sense of itself.
John Lahr, the author of twenty books, was senior drama critic of The New Yorker for over two decades. Among his books are Notes On a Cowardly Lion: The Biography of Bert Lahr; Dame Edna Everage: Backstage with Barry Humphries; and Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton, which was made into a film. He has twice won the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism and has twice been included in volumes of Best American Essays. His stage adaptations have been performed around the world. Lahr is the first critic ever to win a Tony Award for co-authoring the 2002 Elaine Stritch at Liberty. He divides his time between London and New York.
Armistead Maupin is the author of the Tales of the City series, of which The Days of Anna Madrigal is the ninth book and which includes: Tales of the City, More Tales of the City, Further Tales of the City, Babycakes, Significant Others, Sure of You, Michael Tolliver Lives, and Mary Ann in Autumn. Maupin is also the author of Maybe the Moon and The Night Listener (made into a feature film starring Robin Williams). Maupin lives in San Francisco and Santa Fe.
