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Terrence McNally Mourned by Theater Artists and More

Twitter users are showing their love and admiration for McNally, who died today at age 81.

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Theater artists and other admirers are mourning the death of the great gay playwright Terrence McNally, who died of COVID-19 complications today in Florida at age 81.

McNally was author of plays including Master Class, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and Love! Valour! Compassion! as well as the books for musicals such as Ragtime and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Tweets are showing how beloved he was in the theater community, by LGBTQ people and others.

\u201cHeartbroken over the loss of Terrence McNally, a giant in our world, who straddled plays and musicals deftly. Grateful for his staggering body of work and his unfailing kindness.\u201d
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin-Manuel Miranda) 1585076399

\u201cMy heart has cracked wide open learning of this loss. Terrence McNally will always be one of my great inspirations. Thank you for all you created. All you\u2019ve left us with. \n\nhttps://t.co/AmZV30mSAF\u201d
— Dustin Lance Black (@Dustin Lance Black) 1585078965

\u201cTerrence McNally was a legend among legends on Broadway. If you are an actor, there's a good chance you have performed one of his works. If not, you surely will in your career, he was that prolific and gifted. Ah, my heart breaks at the news!\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1585078803

\u201cA huge loss. I was fortunate enough to grow up in NYC and could see myself in his plays long before the rest of Hollywood caught up. Wildly prolific and wonderful. Thank you Terrence McNally. \u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udf08\u201d
— billy eichner (@billy eichner) 1585079048

\u201cPlease remember the brilliant Terrence McNally, \u201cThe playwright leaves a legacy of slowly changing people's minds by changing their hearts first.\u201d He will be missed \u2764\ufe0f https://t.co/jWm3gvX0YS\u201d
— Sarah Silverman (@Sarah Silverman) 1585078197

\u201c40 years ago we lost a whole young generation and now this!!! Breaking: Tony-Winning Playwright Terrence McNally Dies from Coronavirus-Related Complications at 81 https://t.co/EQQ2vmoPkp\u201d
— sheryl lee ralph (@sheryl lee ralph) 1585078249

\u201cMy first acting award at a one-act festival in high school. My first Tony nomination was for Full Monty. Both shows written by Terrence McNally. He had a monumental impact on my career and will be missed. Rest In Peace, my friend. #RIPTerrenceMcNally\u201d
— patrick wilson (@patrick wilson) 1585077834

\u201cjust read about Terrence McNally and I\u2019m fucking broken by it.\n\nThis is so dark. \n\nI met Terrence when my friend James Cusati-Moyer starred in his play \u201cFire and Air\u201d @classicstage. \n\nHis kindness and candor were unmatched.\n\nRIP TERRENCE. You were a gift.\nhttps://t.co/i9gU7b55i7\u201d
— THEE ACADEMY Playwright Jeremy O Harris (@THEE ACADEMY Playwright Jeremy O Harris) 1585077209

\u201cTerrence McNally did so much to humanize and validate LGBT experiences and lives. Such a loss.\n\nhttps://t.co/IVPfvZRzCw\u201d
— Sewell Chan (@Sewell Chan) 1585076060

\u201cWhen I was a still (mostly) closeted 17 year old, I did a Terrence McNally monologue, playing an openly gay man, for all of my theatre school auditions. His plays gave me a glimpse @ the freer, better future I\u2019m lucky to be living today\u2014and for that, I\u2019ll always be grateful. #RIP\u201d
— Ben Lewis (@Ben Lewis) 1585078240