Doug McGrath Discusses "Checkers" Play with the NY TImes

A seminal moment in the political career of Richard Nixon is getting fresh attention thanks to the new off-Broadway play "Checkers," written by Doug McGrath and playing at the Vineyard . He recently discussed the play and his inspiration with the New York Times. The article, "Mixed Feelings Lead a Writer to Nixon," says,

Nixon, Mr. McGrath said over a meal last month at the Union Square Cafe, is “one of the few people I know who can be hateful and pitiable at the same time, which is kind of maddening.” He laughed. “We like a cleaner feeling. You just want to hate someone, or pity him, but not both. It’s that essentially human quality of Nixon’s that everyone connects with in some way: that fear, that social insecurity, that inability to feel loved or popular.”