Written by Scott McPherson Original language English Playwright Scott McPherson | Date premiered 1990 First performance 15 November 1991 Adaptations Marvin's Room (1996) | |
Place premiered Goodman Theatre, Chicago Characters Dr. Wally, Marvin, Ruth, Charlie, Bessie, Lee, Hank, Bob Similar As Is, Streamers, Children of a Lesser God, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Da | ||
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Marvin's Room is a play written by American writer Scott McPherson.
Contents
It concerns two sisters, Bessie, their father's saintly caretaker who has leukemia, and Lee, a wisecracking, psychologically unstable free spirit who has not helped with the caretaking.
It is based upon McPherson's experiences with older relatives who lived in Florida. McPherson cared for his partner, cartoonist and activist Daniel Sotomayor, who died from AIDS. His experiences living in the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic influenced his writing. McPherson himself died in 1992 of AIDS at age 33.
Productions
Marvin's Room had its premiere at the Goodman Theatre Studio in Chicago in 1990, directed by David Petrarca.
It then played Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, opening on November 15, 1991 and closing on February 23, 1992. The play re-opened Off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theater in March 1992 and closed on September 6, 1992, directed by David Petraca.
It went on to run at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. in September 1992-October 1992, directed by David Petrarca.
A London production ran in 1993 at the Hampstead Theatre, and transferred to the West End at the Comedy Theatre for a short-run.
In 1994, a production was staged in Los Angeles at the Tiffany Theater.
The Roundabout Theatre Company will present the play on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre from June 8, 2017 to August 27, directed by Anne Kauffman.
Film adaptation
Marvin's Room was adapted by John Guare for a film of the same title in 1996. Diane Keaton was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Bessie.
Awards and nominations
1991-1992 Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress - Laura Esterman (winner)
1992
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play - (winner) Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play - Laura Esterman (winner)1992 Drama Critics' Circle Award Runner-Up, Best American Play (nomination)