Every Act of Life
World Premiere

Every Act of Life

Special Screenings
| USA | 92 MINUTES | English
New York, LGBT
Playwright Terrence McNally’s award-winning Broadway resume includes such shows as Ragtime, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and Master Class—just to name a few. Every Act of Life is an intimate and revealing documentary about McNally’s groundbreaking career in the theatre, the fight for LGBTQ rights, his triumph over addiction, the pursuit of love and inspiration at every age, and the power of the arts to transform society.

Rich with rare footage and photos, the film features interviews with and performances by Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, Larry Kramer, Nathan Lane, Edie Falco, F. Murray Abraham, Billy Porter, Tyne Daly, Chita Rivera, John Slattery, Rita Moreno, and Christine Baranski—among others—as well as the voices of Bryan Cranston (as John Steinbeck) and Meryl Streep (as Terrence’s high school English teacher). Director Jeff Kaufman’s exploration of the four-time Tony-winning playwright’s life is packed to the rafters with theater luminaries, making it a must-see film for any Broadway lover.

—Dan Hunt

After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with director Jeff Kaufman, playwright Terrence McNally, actor/director Joe Mantello, and actors F. Murray Abraham, Tyne Daly, and Nathan Lane. Moderated by New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich.

Cast & Credits
Directed by
Jeff Kaufman
Jeff Kaufman has produced, directed, and written documentaries including The State of Marriage and Father Joseph, in addition to his work for Amnesty International and the Discovery Channel. Previously, he contributed illustrations to the New Yorker, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times, wrote and illustrated children's books, and hosted a daily radio show.
Director
Jeff Kaufman
Producer
Jeff Kaufman, Marcia Ross
Screenwriter
Jeff Kaufman
Cinematographer
Jordan Black, Autumn Eakin, Anthony Lucido
Editor
Asher Bingham
Composer
Laura Karpman and Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum
Executive Producer
Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Suzi Dietz, Tom Kirdahy, Mark Lee, Ted Snowdon & Duffy Violante, Buddy Steves & Rowena Young
Music
Laura Karpman and Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum
Cast
Terrence McNally, Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, Larry Kramer, Angela Lansbury, Christine Baranski

Panelists
F. Murray Abraham

F. Murray Abraham

F. Murray Abraham and has done more Terrence McNally’s plays than any other actor, including Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone?, The Ritz, and the original production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. He received an Obie Award for Chekhov's Uncle Vanya,” and a Best Actor Academy Award for Amadeus. He has also appeared in the films Grand Budapest Hotel, and Inside Llewyn Davis, and the television series Homeland.

Joe Mantello

Joe Mantello

Joe Mantello is an Tony-nominated actor and two-time Tony-winning director. As an actor, he starred in Angels in America, The Normal Heart, and the recent revival of The Glass Menagerie. Plays, musicals, and operas by Terrence McNally that he directed include Love! Valour! Compassion!, Corpus Christi, A Man Of no Importance, Dead Man Walking, and the revival of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. He also directed Wicked, Assassins, Other Desert Cities, and The Humans.

Terrence McNally

Terrence McNally

Terrence McNally has had a remarkably far-ranging career spanning five decades. He is a recipient of the Dramatists Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. He has won four Tony Awards for his plays Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class and his musical books for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime. He won an Emmy Award for Andre’s Mother. He wrote the libretto for the operas Great Scott and Dead Man Walking.

Frank Rich

Frank Rich

Frank Rich is a Writer at Large for New York Magazine. He is also a creative consultant for HBO, where he is an Executive Producer of the Emmy-winning comedy series Veep and the new drama series Succession, premiering in June 2018. He also was an Executive Producer of the documentaries Six By Sondheim and Becoming Mike Nichols. Rich was previously an op-ed columnist and chief drama critic at the New York Times.

Jeff Kaufman

Jeff Kaufman

Jeff Kaufman directed / produced / wrote the documentaries Every Act Of Life, The State of Marriage, Father Joseph, and The Savoy King, plus several short films for Amnesty International, and programs for The Discovery Channel and TLC. He contributed cartoons to The New Yorker, and illustrations to The LA Times and The NY Times, wrote / illustrated several children's books, and hosted daily radio shows in Vermont and Los Angeles.

Nathan Lane

Nathan Lane

Emmy, Tony and Screen Actors Guild award winning actor Nathan Lane is currently appearing on Broadway in Angels In America. He also starred in such classic productions as The Producers, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Guys And Dolls, The Lisbon Traviata, and Lips Together, Teeth Apart. Film credits include The Birdcage, The Lion King, and the hit series The People vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.


Contacts
International Sales Contact
Orly Ravid
The Film Collaborative
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Phone: 323 610 8128
orly@thefilmcollaborative.org
Print Source
Jeff Kaufman
Floating World Pictures
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: 323 401 7266
jeff.floating@gmail.com
US Sales Contact
Orly Ravid
The Film Collaborative
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Phone: 323 610 8128
orly@thefilmcollaborative.org
Press Contact
Ally Navolio
Falco Ink
New York, 10016
Phone: 212 445 7100
allynavolio@falcoink.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

Newsletter

Subscribe for festival news, exclusive offers, programming updates, and more!
Get Festival Updates

Tribeca Festival Partners

Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Supporters
Presenting Partner
Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Industry Partners
See all partners