“The big influence on me was Robert Altman, who, especially in 'Nashvil...” — Tony Kushner Quote

“The big influence on me was Robert Altman, who, especially in 'Nashville,' transformed my sense of dramatic structure and showed how you could handle overlapping stories.”

“Making movies is a very different experience in a lot of ways. It's difficult when you're used to owning the copyright and having a landlord's possessory rights - I rent my plays to the companies that do them and, if I'm upset, I can pull the play. But the only two directors I've worked with are pretty great.”

“Theater really gets damaged when there is a paucity of good criticism around.”

“For me, watching people get out of control, and be indulgent and dramatic was very silly.”

“There are some guys I know for a fact, like Louis C.K., who always talk about how not-great of an actor he is, and he's terrific on his show. But I know Louis would play a fantastic dramatic role in something, too. He just needs somebody to grab him and say, 'Come in here and do this.'”

“Sometimes when you're creating something, it takes on a life of its own, and you can be surprised at how sad or dramatic it might get.”