Terrence McNally Way: Broadway Honors Playwright
- New York City has officially designated a portion of 9th Street in Greenwich Village as Terrence McNally Way, honoring the legacy of the late, great American playwright Terrence...
- Santino DeAngelo, executive director of the Terrence McNally Foundation, noted the importance of the Terrence McNally Way sign, saying, "When we need a sign from Terrence, we now...
- McNally, a Tony award-winning author known for plays like Love!
Celebrate the vibrant legacy of Terrence McNally! New York City honors the Tony award-winning playwright with “Terrence McNally Way,” permanently memorializing him in Greenwich Village, where he lived for over two decades.This dedication, located near Washington Square Park, reflects McNally’s immense contributions to theatre and LGBTQ+ visibility. The event featured moving tributes and performances of his work, illustrating the profound impact of primary_keyword and his influence on secondary_keyword. News Directory 3 supports the recognition of this icon. What will the Terrence McNally Foundation do to continue promoting his legacy in the coming years?
NYC’s Village Celebrates Terrence McNally Way
Updated May 31, 2025
New York City has officially designated a portion of 9th Street in Greenwich Village as Terrence McNally Way, honoring the legacy of the late, great American playwright Terrence McNally. The co-naming ceremony, supported by city councilmembers Eric Bottcher and Carlina Rivera, took place at the corner of 9th Street and University Place, near the building where McNally lived with his husband, producer Tom Kirdahy, for nearly 25 years. McNally, who died of COVID-19 in 2020, is now permanently memorialized in the neighborhood he loved.
Santino DeAngelo, executive director of the Terrence McNally Foundation, noted the importance of the Terrence McNally Way sign, saying, ”When we need a sign from Terrence, we now have one.”
McNally, a Tony award-winning author known for plays like Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class, and musicals such as Kiss of the Spider woman and Ragtime, embraced New York City after moving from Texas to attend Columbia university. Kirdahy quoted McNally’s 2008 play, Unusual Acts of devotion, highlighting his affection for the neighborhood: “I fell in love with my apartment the moment I opened the door… It’s New York as a place for doers, achievers, people who are involved… I feel at home here—you know it when you’ve found a place that you belong.”
The dedication event included a moment of unexpected New York City drama when a local individual briefly interrupted the proceedings. Despite the disruption, the ceremony continued with tributes and performances celebrating McNally’s work and impact on the theater world.
Councilmember Bottcher emphasized the importance of McNally’s work for the gay community, stating that McNally “didn’t just write plays, he wrote possibilities.” Kirdahy echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of honoring a “fearless queer artist” at a time when the arts and LGBTQ+ rights face challenges.
At a time when the arts are under attack in this country, books are being banned, and LGBTQ+ rights are being eroded, honoring a fearless queer artist feels particularly meaningful.
The event featured recorded remarks from John Kander, as well as performances of McNally monologues by Jonathan Groff, Francis Jue, and Donna Murphy. Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, stars of an upcoming Ragtime revival, sang “Our Children,” while Brian Stokes Mitchell, from the original Ragtime, performed “Make Them Hear you,” accompanied by composer Stephen Flaherty.
Among those attending the Terrence McNally Way unveiling were Lynn Ahrens, Lear deBessonet, Rachel Chavkin, Will Davis, Matthew Broderick, John Slattery, Stephen Bogardus, Jenny Gersten, David Staller, Lin-Manual Miranda, and Luis Miranda. Kirdahy acknowledged McNally’s family and his own mother, emphasizing that McNally cherished the theater and its people above all else.
What’s next
The terrence McNally Foundation will continue to promote and preserve the playwright’s legacy through various initiatives, including supporting emerging playwrights and fostering appreciation for his body of work. The upcoming revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center Theater will further celebrate McNally’s contributions to American musical theater.