While it might seem intentional that Tony Kushner would be in North Texas the same week as the major U.S. premiere of the opera “Angels in America,” it turns out to be little more than a coincidence.

“I’m glad you’re saying that,” he said when reminded that the show opens days before his appearance as part of Arts & Letters Live’s “Distinguished Writers” series. “It’s only occurring to me now that I will be there that week. I’d like to see it if I can.”

Fortunately, fans of both don’t need to make an “either-or” decision — Kushner’s lecture takes place on May 21, one of the days the “Angels” stage is dark.

Although many Arts & Letters Live events take place at the Dallas Museum of Art, Kushner’s has been moved to the more spacious Kalita Humphreys Theater. The playwright will be interviewed onstage by Kevin Moriarty, the artistic director of the Dallas Theater Center (pictured), then will read from some of his current pieces before taking questions from the audience.

It’s an excellent chance to catch a glimpse inside a creative mind — years ago at a similar reading, audiences were offered scenes from a play that eventually became “Homebody/Kabul.”



This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 16, 2008.