My name is Eric R. Reilly, the writer and director of DURANG, and I am going to admit something here to you that I feel deep shame over. Until about 2022, I did not consciously know the name Christopher Durang. Though, being a junkie for all film and most television, I had seen some of his work. Whether it was a walk-on role in the 90s sitcom Frasier, Tales from the Crypt, a character in movies like The Secret of My Success or HouseSitter, or as a guest on Saturday Night Live, Chris had always been there; I just didn’t know it.

 

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that my friend John Dwyer mentioned to me that famous playwright Chris Durang actually lived here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his husband John Augustine, a talented writer and actor in his own right. John suggested that Chris might be open to being a subject for a film series called Artists & Authors (A&A for short), which I work on as the writer/director and John Dwyer as a producer. There was a big question, though: Chris had been diagnosed with a rare form of dementia some time ago, and no one knew his current condition.

 

I met John Augustine on a Monday, the 25th of September to be exact, in a little, now-defunct coffee house near the Delaware River. There were jokes and laughter; it seemed I was doing alright and passed John's sniff test. I left that meeting feeling like I’d known John my whole life and wishing I actually had. Yet, still a big question before we could move forward. John asked if I’d be willing to come to the house so Chris could meet me and see how we got along together.

 

A few days later, I was sitting in the sunroom of Chris and John’s beautiful home. John and I were discussing some possible interviews for the film. Over my shoulder, I heard a tender voice across the room say, “May I join you?” Chris shuffled in and took a seat on the couch next to me. We said hello to one another and the conversation continued. A few moments later, Chris politely interrupted to say, “You are very pretty.” That’s right, Christopher Durang called me “pretty.” Still one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. John later explained to me that Chris no longer had words like handsome or cute, but only pretty. Definitively a bittersweet moment.

 

Thankfully, Chris found me to be a welcome presence and I passed the final sniff test. On his good days Chris could hold a conversation with me. Taking me around the house and talking about the past. Pointing to pictures of family or plays he’d done and telling me little details about them. Chris and I also shared a love for classic film. One day while hanging out at the house, Chris asked I come join him in the bedroom. Curiosity peaked, I walked into the bedroom to find the Bette Davis classic, All About Eve, on the tv. John and Chris laid on the bed and I sat on the floor next to Chris’ feet and that’s how we spent the rest of the afternoon. There are no words to express how grateful I am for those moments together. 

 

Chris and John fully welcomed me into their life, past, present, and future. Witnessing the deep bond Chris and John shared was truly moving. Their mutual support, respect, and dedication to one another in both their personal and professional lives was their relationship’s bedrock. Beyond their remarkable talents, Chris and John were genuinely the kindest and most generous people. Their love and commitment to each other became the emotional core of this film.

 

Initially, I envisioned a short film focusing on Chris’ prolific work while living in Bucks County. However, as I began to explore their lives and relationship, I quickly realized that a short film would not suffice. The only way to do justice to this story was through a feature-length documentary. The film is filled with personal photos and videos, capturing intimate moments and milestones in Chris’ life and work, as well as Chris and John’s journey together. Additionally, I was lucky enough to sit down and interview some of their closest friends and collaborators, such as Sigourney Weaver, Emily Mann, David Hyde Pierce, Kristine Nielsen, Marsha Norman, and many others.

 

Chris passed away on April 2nd of 2024 and it is one of the greatest honors of my life to have known such an incredible man and be there in his final days. I hope this film gives the audience the same peek inside the hilariously dark, beautiful, and extremely sweet mind and heart of Durang that I was fortunate to get. And wherever he is now, I hope Chris is happy with what I’ve done.

 

 

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