Douglas Carter Beane Quotes

Powerful Douglas Carter Beane for Daily Growth

About Douglas Carter Beane

Douglas Carter Beane, an acclaimed American playwright and lyricist, was born on August 15, 1968, in Washington D.C., USA. Growing up in a family that encouraged his creative pursuits, he developed a love for theater at an early age. He moved to New York City to study dramatic writing at the Tisch School of Arts at New York University. Beane's breakthrough came with his first off-Broadway production, "As Bees in Honey Drown" (1997), a witty and poignant exploration of New York City's underground gay subculture. The play was adapted into a novel and a film, showcasing Beane's versatility as a storyteller. His next significant work, "The Little Dog Laughed" (2006), premiered on Broadway, earning critical acclaim for its sharp wit and insightful portrayal of modern relationships. The play was nominated for several Drama Desk Awards. In 2015, Beane co-wrote the book for "Something Rotten!", a musical comedy that won him his first Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. His other notable works include "Xanadu" (2007), a musical adaptation of the classic film, and "Shows for Days" (2015), a play that explores the complexities of family dynamics. Beane's works are known for their clever dialogue, intricate plots, and deep insights into human nature. His writing is often characterized by its wit, warmth, and emotional depth. Beane continues to write for theater, bringing fresh and innovative stories to life on stages across the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is short and the world is wide."

This quote suggests that life is finite, yet the world is vast and full of possibilities. It's a reminder to seize opportunities, explore, learn, and live fully while we can, as time is limited but the world offers an abundance of experiences.


"The things that make my heart race are the very things that give me life."

This quote suggests that the experiences, situations, or aspects that stimulate strong emotions in a person - such as excitement, passion, or enthusiasm - also provide meaning and purpose to their lives. Essentially, it underscores the idea that taking risks, pursuing one's interests, and embracing life with intensity can lead to personal fulfillment and happiness.


"Love is a battlefield where the bravest fall."

This quote by Douglas Carter Beane suggests that love, despite its romantic connotations, can be a challenging and tumultuous experience. It implies that even the strongest individuals may struggle or fail in their pursuit of love due to its complexities and unpredictable nature. The "bravest" in this context are those who courageously open themselves up to vulnerability and emotional risk when pursuing or maintaining a relationship, but they may still encounter difficulties and potentially face heartbreak. In essence, the quote underscores the idea that love can be a battlefield where personal strengths are tested, and the outcomes are not always guaranteed.


"We can't help who we love, any more than we can help who we are."

This quote emphasizes that love is not a choice; it's an inherent emotion, much like our identity. It suggests that just as we don't choose who we are, we don't consciously decide who we fall in love with. Love transcends control, and the object of one's affection is as individual as their personality. This quote promotes understanding and acceptance for individuals who find themselves drawn to someone outside societal norms or expectations.


"I'm not good at this whole living in the moment thing."

This quote suggests that the individual struggles to fully embrace the concept of living in the present, instead finding themselves preoccupied or apprehensive about the future or past moments. It could indicate anxiety, regret, or a tendency to overthink situations rather than focusing on the immediate experience.


When people say 'Lysistrata' has always been seen as an anti-war play, what's interesting is to not make it an anti-war play, because I actually think there are important times to go to war in this world. That's just the reality. But what's interesting is the not caring.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Play, Been, Seen, Anti-War

I've gone from a kid who was sneaking out of my childhood house and lying to my parents to do shows in a community theatre in Reading, PA, to now having two shows on Broadway opening within two months of each other. That's sort of crazy, that trajectory.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Kid, Other, Broadway, Trajectory

Dietz and Schwartz have sort of fallen by the wayside a little bit, and they are up there with Rodgers and Hart and Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. They are the finest of the revue composers - their stuff is so good and so strong.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Strong, Composers, Rodgers, Wayside

My favorite moments are the moments everyone cries over. I see people in the audience crying, and I go, 'I did that, too. I don't just do the jokes. I also do the cries.' Jokes and cries, jokes and cries. That's all I'm here for, people.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Here, Over, Cries, Jokes

If you're raised Methodist, Catholicism is a bit of a workout. It's sort of like you're up, you're down, you're up, you're down. It's a continual hokey-pokey.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Like, Raised, Sort, Catholicism

In the '20s and '30s, there were these musicals either set on college campuses or based on classical stories, so any of the Rodgers and Hart musicals certainly influenced me. I was definitely influenced by any of the 'Porgy' songs; I was influenced by 'American Pie.'

- Douglas Carter Beane

College, Influenced, Rodgers, American Pie

When you do a film, when you do a television show, eventually someone comes along and will say to you, 'Don't say that because, one, you will offend someone, or, two, no one will get that. Someone's going to be confused by that, not get the reference and feel abandoned, and then they will get angry at the entertainment.'

- Douglas Carter Beane

Feel, Entertainment, Show, Offend

I have very important phone messages that will be playing Broadway. An evening of my tweets I think is going to be booked into the Golden Theatre.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Think, I Think, Very, Evening

I inherited the old family turkey farm, and I'm turning it into a fun place to go for my kids.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Go, Old, Turkey, Inherited

I went into Xanadu going, 'I really dislike this movie - let me try to make it something wonderful,' but with 'The Band Wagon,' I really revere this movie. It's really a beautiful movie musical. And, yet, because I'm a writer and look at it that way, I see that there are faults in it.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Movie, Dislike, Wagon, Revere

I try to create some stupid entertainment for really smart people that they don't feel too stupid watching. In 'Xanadu,' the biggest laugh was a reference to Achilles.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Stupid, Some, Entertainment, Achilles

I think it's a very ephemeral thing, what makes a show a success.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Think, I Think, Very, Ephemeral

I've seen nearly every Encores! show. I love the second acts so much because you just see desperation and inspiration in equal measure.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Love, Show, Nearly, Desperation

If I'm seeing you, you're going to influence me. I'm sorry - I'm just that way. I'm a big sponge. You can't copyright an aesthetic.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Big, Aesthetic, Copyright, Sponge

I love throwing myself into a place or a period or a point of view. In 'Fledermaus,' I loved throwing myself into the world of Vienna at the turn of the century. It was a lot of fun.

- Douglas Carter Beane

Love, Point Of View, Period, Throwing

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.