I just heard on NPR that Peter Stone has died. He was the writer of such diverse stage shows as Titanic, Woman of the Year, The Will Rogers Follies, and my introduction to him, 1776.
An odd choice for a musical, the creation of the United States. But what an eye-opener it was. I think that watching 1776 sparked an interest in history within me. Peter Stone gathered together historic letters and other documents and with them created a drama that worked magic: even though we all know that the Declaration of Independence was signed, there are plenty of instances throughout the play – and subsequent film – that have the audience doubting that it will happen. If only history textbooks had the same method of telling the stories of history in such an engaging, dramatic way.
Peter Stone, unsurprisingly, was an Oscar, Tony, and Emmy award winner.
