John Patrick Shanley (born October 13, 1950) is an American playwright, theater director, and filmmaker. He won the 1987 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the film Moonstruck.John Patrick Shanley imdb.comMcKinley, Jesse. "'Spamalot' and 'Doubt' Win the Top Tony Awards". New York Times. June 6, 2005 His play, Doubt: A Parable, won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2005 Tony Award for Best Play; he wrote and directed the film adaptation, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Early life and education Shanley was born into an Irish-American family in The Bronx, New York City. His mother worked as a telephone operator, and his father was a meat-packer. The neighborhood Shanley grew up in was considered very rough.Witchel, Alex. "The Confessions of John Patrick Shanley" The New York Times, November 7, 2004
Shanley's academic career did not begin well, but ultimately he graduated from New York University with honors from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.Saito, Stephen. "IFC Interview: John Patrick Shanley on 'Doubt'" ifc.com, December 12, 2008 In his program bio for the Broadway production of Doubt: A Parable, he mentions that he was "thrown out of St. Helena's kindergarten, banned from St. Anthony's hot lunch program and expelled from Cardinal Spellman High School." He was heavily influenced by one of his first teachers, Sister Margaret McEntee, on whom he based the character of Sister James in his play, Doubt.Doubt playbillvault.com, March 31, 2005 While at Cardinal Spellman High School, he saw two school productions that influenced him: The Miracle Worker and Cyrano de Bergerac.Hodges, Benjamin A. editor. The Play that Changed My Life: America's Foremost Playwrights on the Plays that Influenced Them. 2009. Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. 2009. p. 129
After his freshman year at New York University, Shanley was put on academic probation. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in a stateside post during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he wrote a novel, then burned it, and returned to the university with the help of the G.I. Bill, and by supporting himself with a series of jobs: elevator operator, house painter, furniture mover, locksmith, bartender. He graduated from New York University as valedictorian in 1977,Bourque-Sheil, Brendan. Interview with John Patrick Shanley. Comedycongloverate's Blog. January 9, 2012. with a degree in Educational Theatre, and is a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre.Shanley topics.nytimes.com
Career
Shanley is the author of more than 23 plays, which have been translated and performed around the world, including 80 productions a year in North America. He has often directed his own productions.
He has also written for film; his second film, Moonstruck (1987), stars Nicolas Cage and Cher, and won three Academy Awards, including one for his screenplay." 'Moonsruck' Awards" tcm.com, accessed January 3, 2014 In 1990, Shanley directed his script of Joe Versus the Volcano. Shanley also wrote two songs for the movie: "Marooned Without You" and "The Cowboy Song."Joe Versus the Volcano tcm.com, accessed January 3, 2014 He wrote the screenplay for the film Congo (1995), which was based on the Michael Crichton book.Maslin, Janet. "Movie Review. 'Congo'" The New York Times, June 9, 1995
His play Doubt: A Parable ran on Broadway from March 31, 2005, to July 2, 2006, and won four 2005 Tony Awards (including Best Play),Jones, Kenneth. " 'Doubt' Is Best Play, 'Spamalot' Best Musical; Butz, Irwin, Clark, Jones, Nichols Win 2005 Tonys" playbill.com, June 5, 2005 the Drama Desk Award (including Outstanding Play)Jones, Kenneth and Ku, Andrew. " 'Doubt', 'Spamalot', 'Twelve Angry Men', 'La Cage' Win 2005 Drama Desk Awards" playbill.com, May 23, 2005 and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.Simonson, Robert. "John Patrick Shanley's 'Doubt' Wins 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama" playbill.com, April 4, 2005 Shanley wrote and directed the 2008 film version, which starred Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis." 'Doubt' Listing" tcm.com, accessed January 3, 2014 The screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award, and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.Doubt imdb.com Doubt: A Parable, is featured in The Fourth Wall, a book of photographs by Amy Arbus for which Shanley also wrote the foreword.
In 2012, Shanley wrote the libretto for an opera version of Doubt: A Parable, which premiered at the Minnesota Opera in January 2013, with music by Douglas J. Cuomo. Until then, his experience with opera was not extensive; he had attended a few performances and had listened to recordings. As he worked on the libretto, using many lines that come directly from the play, he describes that his enthusiasm for the form grew.Dobrzynski, Judith H. "A Re-'Doubt'-able Effort" Wall Street Journal (online.wsj.com), January 16, 2013 Also in 2012, his play Storefront Church ran Off-Broadway in a production by the Atlantic Theater Company. The play concerns Bronx residents "whose lives become tangled in unexpected ways when a mortgage goes sour".Isherwood, Charles. "Theater Review. 'Storefront Church,' by John Patrick Shanley" The New York Times, June 11, 2012 Storefront Church was also put up by San Francisco Playhouse in San Francisco in December 2013 where it was very well received.
His play Outside Mullingar opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club, on January 3, 2014 (in previews) and officially on January 23, 2014. The play was directed by Doug Hughes and starred Debra Messing and Brían F. O'Byrne.Gans, Andrew. "Debra Messing Is 'Outside Mullingar', Beginning Jan. 3 on Broadway" playbill.com, January 3, 2014 The play is set in the Irish countryside.Isherwood, Charles. "Theater Review. 'Outside Mullingar,' by John Patrick Shanley, Opens" The New York Times, January 23, 2014 In 2020, a film adaptation of the play was released, entitled Wild Mountain Thyme.
, which he directed, was produced Off-Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club. It opened on February 9, 2016, and featured Timothée Chalamet, Robert Sean Leonard, Annika Boras, Chris McGarry and David Potters. The play concerns a lonely teen from The Bronx who attends a private school in New Hampshire.Clement, Olivia. "World Premiere of 'Prodigal Son' Opens Tonight Off-Broadway" playbill.com, February 9, 2016 His play The Portuguese Kid opened on October 24, 2017, at the New York City Center Stage I, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club. Directed by Shanley, the cast featured Jason Alexander, Sherie Rene Scott, Mary Testa, Aimee Carrero and Pico Alexander.Clement, Olivia. " 'The Portuguese Kid', With Jason Alexander and Sherie Rene Scott, Opens Off-Broadway" Playbill, October 24, 2017 His new play Brooklyn Laundry opened on February 6, 2024, at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Shanley directed, with a cast featuring Cecily Strong, David Zayas, Florencia Lozano, and Andrea Syglowski.Cote, David. " Review: It All Comes Out in the Wash at John Patrick Shanley’s ‘Brooklyn Laundry’" The New York Observer, March 4, 2024
Personal life Shanley resides in New York City. He has been married and divorced twice; with his second wife, Jayne Haynes, he adopted two sons, both born in 1992.
Works Theater Year Title Playwright Director Venue 1982 Welcome to the Moon Ensemble Studio Theatre, Off-Broadway Rich, Frank. "The Stage: 'Welcome To The Moon'" The New York Times, November 24, 19821983 Danny and the Deep Blue Sea Circle in the Square Theatre, Off-Broadway " Danny and the Deep Blue Sea Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 4, 20141984 Savage in Limbo Gate Theatre, London"The Dreamer Examines His Pillow Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 4, 2014 1985 The Dreamer Examines His Pillow 47th Street Theatre, Off-Broadway1986 Italian American Reconciliation Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway1986 Women of Manhattan Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway " Women of Manhattan Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 4, 20141987 All for Charity Ensemble Studio Theatre, Off-Broadway 1990 The Big Funk The Public Theater, Off-Broadway" 'The Big Funk' Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 4, 20141991 Beggars in the House of Plenty Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway " Beggars in the House of Plenty Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 5, 2014 1992 The Wild Goose Ensemble Studio Theatre, Off-Broadway Gussow, Mel. "Review/Theater; Giving One-Act Plays Fairest Shot at Success" The New York Times, May 5, 19921993 Four Dogs and a Bone Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway" Four Dogs and a Bone Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 4, 20141996 Missing/Kissing Primary Stages, Off-Broadway" 'Missing/Kissing' Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 4, 20141998 Psychopathia Sexualis Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway 2001Where's My Money? LAByrinth Theater Company & Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway Jones, Kenneth and Simonson, Robert. "John Patrick Shanley's 'Where's My Money?' Ends Jan. 13 at MTC" January 13, 20022001 Cellini Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway2003 Dirty Story LAByrinth Theater Company, Off-BroadwayBacalzo, Dan."Reviews. 'Dirty Story'" March 5, 20032004Doubt: A Parable Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway Walter Kerr Theatre, Broadway2004 Sailor's Song The Public Theater, Off-BroadwayHernandez, Ernio. "Part 1 of 3: John Patrick Shanley's 'Sailor's Song' Opens Off-Broadway, Nov. 7" playbill.com, November 7, 20042005 Defiance Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway 2007Romantic Poetry Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway Brantley, Ben. Theater Review. 'Romantic Poetry'" The New York Times, October 29, 20082010Pirate Powerhouse Theater Vassar & New York Stage and FilmJones, Kenneth. "Charlotte Parry, Ivan Hernandez Featured in John Patrick Shanley's 'Pirate', Starting July 21" playbill.com, July 21, 20102012Storefront Church Atlantic Theater Company, Off-Broadway 2014Outside Mullingar Manhattan Theatre Club, Broadway 2016 Prodigal Son Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway 2017The Portuguese Kid Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway2021Candlelight New Ohio Theatre, Off-Broadway Harms, Talaura. "World Premiere of John Patrick Shanley's 'Candlelight' Begins November 27" Playbill, November 27, 20212024Brooklyn Laundry Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway
Film Year Title Director Writer 1987 Moonstruck Five Corners Canby, Vincent. "Movie Review. 'Five Corners' (1987)" The New York Times, January 22, 19881989 The January Man Canby, Vincent. Movie Review. 'January Man' (1989) The New York Times, January 13, 19891990 Joe Versus the Volcano 1993 Alive Maslin, Janet. "Movie Review. 'Alive' (1993)" The New York Times, January 15, 1993We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story Maslin, Janet. Movie Review. 'We re Back A Dinosaur s Story' (1993)" The New York Times, November 24, 19931995 Congo 2008 Doubt 2020 Wild Mountain Thyme
Television Year Title Notes Ref.1993Danny i Roberta TV movie2002Live from Baghdad " 'Live from Baghdad' Cast and Crew" tcm.com, accessed January 4, 2014 2018 The Portuguese Kid2019 Great Performances Episode: "Cuomo: Doubt"
Accolades and honors In 2002 Shanley was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame. ilovethebronx.com
Awards 1988 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay – Moonstruck 1988 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay – Moonstruck 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play – Doubt: A Parable 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama – Doubt: A Parable 2005 Tony Award for Best Play – Doubt: A Parable 2005 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play – Doubt: A Parable 2005 Obie Award for Playwriting – Doubt: A ParableSimonson, Robert. "Shanley, Hughes, Culkin, Marvel, O'Connell Among 2005 Obie Winners" playbill.com, May 26, 2005
Nominations 1988 Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay – Moonstruck 1989 BAFTA Film Award for BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay – Moonstruck