Rob Roth

An enthralling play based on lost tapes between two cultural giants and friends—Andy Warhol and Truman Capote. In 1978 Andy Warhol and Truman Capote decided to write a Broadway play. Andy suggested that he record their private conversations over the period of a few months, and that these tapes would be the source material for the play. The tapes were then filed away and forgotten. Their play was never completed. Now, award-winning director Rob Roth brings their vision to life after a years-long search to unearth the eighty hours of tapes between two of the most daring artists of postwar America. WARHOLCAPOTE, based on words actually spoken by the two men, is set in the ’70s and ’80s, toward the end of their close connection and not too long before their untimely deaths. Their special, complex friendship is captured by Roth with bracing intimacy as they discuss life, love, and art and everything in between. Every word in the play comes directly from these two 20th century geniuses. The structure of the conversations springs from Roth’s imagination.

A Non-Fiction Invention

WARHOLCAPOTE

Morgan Thomas

While the settings are fictionalized, everything said between two of the most famous artists of the twentieth century is real. Initially deciding that they would write a play together Warhol ended up recording an immense amount of tapes of some of his time spent with Truman Capote. The conversations never amounted to much except this play. The topics range from giving the hottest goss (which I love). One great anecdote that Truman mentions is Liza Minelli wearing a disguise to Halstons apartment because not long before while out with her husband Jack Haley she was confronted by Martin Scorsese who she was having an affair with about her other affair with Baryshnikov. AMAZING. But the tapes also offer a more tender and thoughtful side. The two were clearly good friends and in these conversations Warhol felt one of his biggest issues was inserting himself to much. I do not see that as any problem. The two had a rapport that allowed for these conversations. From what I know of Warhol he seems capable of getting Truman to really talk about meaningful topics. Truman opens up about going into rehab and what seemed like the exhaustion of living in his own mind. But also the creative process and what drove him to write a particular story. I found this so interesting not just for conversations but also for its relevance.

WARHOLCAPOTE A Non-Fiction Invention

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