contemporary play already. Strindberg wrote about
eternal aspects of our nature: jealousy, obsession,
dependency and rage. For better or worse, those
are still core aspects of our psychology. The tortured
lovers he depicts in Creditors don’t feel remotely
antique to me; they are confronting the very same
demons that haunt us now.
Rage: The cast of Creditors is definitely an outstanding,
accomplished group. Will you share with us some of the
highlights of working with these three fine actors?
DW: All three of our cast members—omar Met-
wally, Kathryn Meisle and T. ryder Smith—have im-
pressive Broadway credits. And while they work in
television and film, they’re all particularly passion-
ate about the theater. This is a rigorous, challenging
play and I know they wouldn’t be here—miles away
from home, from families and loved ones—unless
they were as invigorated and as challenged by the
text as I am. They have no vanity; they merely want
to meet the demands of Strindberg’s story. each
day, I’m humbled by the commitment they bring
to their craft. our one indulgence? Since the play is
set in a Swedish spa, we spent one day at the Lodge
at Torrey Pines, getting massages! What can I say? I
believe in method acting.
Rage: In 2004 you were honored with a Pulitzer Prize
and a Tony Award for your play I Am My Own Wife. If you
had to choose, which award would you say you feel most
proud of?
DW: Sanction from your peers is a thrilling,
Director/Playwright Doug Wright
ratifying thing, and I’m profoundly grateful for the
recognition. But my guilty secret? There’s no award
that can match the moments when I’m alone at my
computer, pouring my heart out onto the page, and
I figure out some new, unexpected twist in the plot,
or a character in my head says something utterly
surprising, faster than I can type it.
Rage: What do you love most about working in the theatre
industry?
DW: I’m extravagantly fortunate that I earn a liv-
ing from my writing. I have many brilliantly talented
friends who don’t. Alas, it’s not a meritocracy. It re-
quires a happy conflagration of backbreaking work,
blind allegiance to your craft, and luck. “going to
work” means padding upstairs to my writing studio
each morning, often in slippers and a robe!
Rage: And when you’re not working, what do enjoy doing?
DW: I love listening to my husband David’s music,
Omar Metwally Kathyrn Meisle T. Ryder Smith
and being his “roadie” at gigs, carrying his guitar.
We both adore traveling. he’s a Francophile, so we
try and get there every year. We spend a month or Rage: Is there any sort of lasting impression you hope this the gifts we give one another, the tolls we extract,
so each summer in Provincetown. We also adore anticipated new production of Creditors leaves on the the cost of truly loving someone, and the high price
spending time with the children in our lives; we audience? of betrayal. I hope no one’s first thought following
don’t have any of our own, but we’re uncles and DW: I hope it inspires a range of powerful emo- the performance is “Now, honey, where did we park
godparents many times over. tions. I hope patrons leave asking questions about the car?”
OctOber 2009 | RAGE monthly 13
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