John Krizanc

John Krizanc (born 1956) is a Canadian playwright who established an international reputation with his non-linear work, Tamara. Exploring the rise of Fascism in 1920s Italy, the play was one of the first non-linear, immersive theatre experiences. The audience followed different characters through an Italian villa, with several scenes playing simultaneously. Several real people are fictionalized in the work, including Italian war hero, journalist and poet General Gabriele D'Annuzio, Aélis Mazoyer, the mistress and housekeeper of D'Annuzio, and Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka. The New York Times called it "a shot of adrenaline for sedentary theatergoers," and praised its "thunderstruck" dialogue. Director Steven Spielberg speaking at the DGA raised the play as a memorable influence on his own storytelling. After its Toronto production (directed by Richard Rose) won Krizanc two Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 1982, the play toured the United States, Portugal, Poland, Argentina and Mexico. Moses Znaimer produced the Hollywood production, which ran for nine years from 1984 to 1994.