Ted Pappas Quotations

He has given us a collection of plays, each one unique, but together they speak to our origins, our potential, our frailties and our hopes as no other plays have done.

Joe's a wonderful actor and has had a terrific career. We're lucky to have him back in Pittsburgh.

Mark has great taste and great humor. I'm personally thrilled.

Well, it's great to be an American. And this is what America is all about: Everybody pulling together to help individuals.

While his death was not unexpected, it's a serious blow to the entire theatrical community in the United States and Pittsburgh in particular. August Wilson is one of the seminal figures of 20th century dramatic art. When we speak of Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller, we will now add the name of August Wilson to that pantheon.

This is devastating. We knew it was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier, Gem of the Ocean.

It's the funniest play I've ever worked on. The title, in a way, is irrelevant to the facts and the plot of the play. It's one of three plays under the umbrella title of Damsels in Distress , which have seven parts in every show, all played by the same actors, all set in the same apartment, though they are unrelated.

It's a love letter to actors, and I love any story about theater, actors and backstage life in any era. What's exciting is the collaboration between the three of them. It's going to be exciting. And the talent they will attract will be part of what makes it a special event.

It's done in a very condensed amount of time essentially the time it takes for a dinner party, ... It's extremely sharp and focused writing. As usual, his ear is very sharp.

This is a very good play and surprisingly moving. I saw a reading and asked for the (production) rights at intermission -- and the second act was even better than the first.

It's really two shows -- the world inside the Kit Kat Club and the world outside -- and I think it's going to be a major event. Our space lends itself to an intimacy that's unique. Seeing it in the O'Reilly will be an experience -- intimate and immediate with no gulf between audience and action.

I'm absolutely shocked, ... The last time we talked, Wilson was seemingly in great health and looking forward to being (in Pittsburgh) with 'Gem of the Ocean.'

I'm sure that cities across the country will be naming schools and auditoriums after Wilson, ... It seems fitting that Pittsburgh be one of the first.

He's eternal. Those plays will live forever, not only as a testament to his talent, but they are America's story. We'll be telling those stories forever.

And I talked to the board and the staff and Friendship Manor, ... and they got excited about the idea of helping a family in need.