The Dying Gaul and other screenplays by Craig Lucas Event

The Dying Gaul and other screenplays by Craig Lucas Event

By: Paul Florez

When Craig Lucas sounds his trumpet, some of the biggest names in Hollywood come to support him. On Friday, March 14, Lucas invited Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), Campbell Scott (Six Degrees), and Steve Drukman (In This Corner) to join him on a panel for his new book published by Alyson, The Dying Gaul and other screenplays. The book was edited by Drukman, while Scott wrote the foreword and Parker provided commentary.

Of course, the Alyson headquarters had been buzzing all day and we could hardly keep our excitement at bay once the event kicked off at 5pm in the Barnes and Nobel located in Manhattan’s Lincoln Triangle. Alyson marketing manager Anthony LaSasso was on site to make sure everyone made it to the green room safely while publisher Dale Cunningham and editor Richard Fumosa greeted the panel guests.

First to speak was Drukman who moderated the panel and introduced the guests. Lucas then set the tone for a special performance between Parker and Scott, who read the Christmas Eve scene from Lucas’ play, Reckless. After which, Parker had to leave the panel in order to be on time for her performance in Dead Man’s Cell Phone.

Lucas, Scott, and Drukman continued the panel by performing additional readings from the book and did an extensive Q&A for the audience in which they answered questions on their careers, inspirations, and political opinions. Once the panel ended, Lucas and Scott signed books and spoke individually with audience members.

The Dying Gaul and other screenplays by Craig Lucas includes The Secret Lives of Dentists and Longtime Companion. Edited by Steve Drukman, with a foreword by Campbell Scott and commentary by Craig Lucas and Mary-Louise Parker. The book is available for purchase at Barnes and Noble.

Photo credits: Copyright Paul Florez, Alyson Books, March 2008.